{"id":301749,"date":"2023-02-14T14:45:15","date_gmt":"2023-02-14T12:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/suspects-still-held-in-custody-20230214\/"},"modified":"2023-02-14T14:45:15","modified_gmt":"2023-02-14T12:45:15","slug":"suspects-still-held-in-custody-20230214","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/novanews.co.za\/bloemnewsexpress\/suspects-still-held-in-custody-20230214\/","title":{"rendered":"Suspects still held in custody"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>The suspected murderers of Thebe Mothibi, owner of the By Hoek Lounge, are remanded in custody while the investigation is ongoing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The bail application was postponed to March during their appearance in the Bloemfontein Magistrate\u2019s Court on Monday (13\/02).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The suspects are Sabata Mpatsi (30), Thabo Masithela (26) and Tshokolo Malebo (33). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They first appeared in court on 7 February, following their arrest hours after Mothibi\u2019s murder on 5 February. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to the police the men, who are reportedly from Lesotho, do not have proper documentation to be in South Africa. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>They face charges of murder, attempted murder and defeating the ends of justice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The charge of attempted murder pertains to a bystander being struck by one of the stray bullets during Mothibi\u2019s fatal shooting on the premises of his business in the early hours of the day in question. The male bystander is reportedly recovering from his wounds. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mothibi died instantly at the scene. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The slain businessman\u2019s funeral was held on Saturday (11\/02). <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from being known as a businessman, Mothibi was the treasurer of the Mangaun\u00adg Concerned Community (MCC) movement. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>He was reportedly attacked hours after he had intervened to stop a fight at the entertainment venue. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The suspected murderers of Thebe Mothibi, owner of the By Hoek Lounge, are remanded in custody while the investigation is 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