POLOKO TAU
THE COURT’S decision to remand a tavern owner in custody for the alleged murder of a patron did little to calm angry residents who had filled the courtroom.
Although the crowd got their wish that Herman Mokoena – owner of Herman’s Place in Protea South – not be freed on bail, residents left the Protea Magistrate’s Court still fuming yesterday.
About 100 of them waited outside for Mokoena to be escorted out of court, and screamed at police not to free him.
Police had to walk him out of the back door.
But it seemed Mokoena had swopped his bright-red jacket with one of the officers’ black jackets, leaving the protesters screaming at the wrong man.
When they realised Mokoena had left, the residents staged a mini-protest, holding up placards outside the court before marching down the road to Mokoena’s pub.
Two officers, who had parked outside Herman’s Place, watched as a group of angry residents stoned the gate before barricading the street leading to the pub with burning tyres and rocks.
More police arrived minutes later and started clearing the street, only for it to be barricaded again.
Four police vehicles were parked in front of the tavern to protect the property while residents stood metres away.
Residents said they had been angered by 23-year-old Busang Moroke’s death and demanded that Mokoena be convicted and sent to prison.
They claimed he had attacked patrons at his pub before.
Police said Moroke was killed at about 5.30am on Sunday – allegedly strangled by the tavern owner and his security guards, and doused with a hosepipe.
Police spokesman Warrant Officer Kay Makhubela said the dead man had marks around his neck consistent with strangling.
She said Moroke had been loaded onto the back of a bakkie and taken to the nearby Protea police station, where police were told he was drunk and had refused to leave the tavern.
The police realised that Moroke was dead and arrested Mokoena.
The businessman’s appearance in court yesterday was brief.
Mokoena kept his face partly covered with the collar of his jacket, which stood up to just below his eyes and kept his head partly bowed throughout the proceedings.
Victor Mashele, his attorney, told the court Mokoena had sustained some facial injuries, including a swollen mouth, hence he had his face covered.
Mokoena is expected back in court on September 30 for a formal bail application.