Why media was locked out
NPA downplays move at hearing for Karabo murder accused
The National Prosecuting Authority has downplayed the media being barred from recording and publishing anything on Sandile Mantsoe’s bail application‚ saying it was nothing new.
The 27-year-old forex trader is accused of murdering his girlfriend‚ Karabo Mokoena‚ whose charred remains were found on April 29 in a ditch in Lyndhurst, Johannesburg.
“As the state we had concerns of sensitive information which would be revealed in court that directly impacts on the progress of the nature of investigations‚” said NPA spokeswoman Phindi Louw Mjonondwane.
“We were worried that we don’t want such information in the public [domain]‚” Louw-Mjonondwane said.
Reporters who were present in court were barred from reporting on any of the information that was mentioned during Mantsoe’s bail application.
Only the ruling on the application could be reported on.
The magistrate‚ however‚ made no mention of how the ruling extended to members of the public who were present in court.
“Unfortunately, we are not in control of the kind of ruling made by the presiding officer‚” said Louw-Mjonondwane‚ conceding that the information could be leaked through members of the public.
Both the state and defence team had put in applications to bar the media from reporting on the court proceedings.
Magistrate Carlo Labuschagne agreed‚ saying it was all in the interest of justice. The matter was postponed to June 9. At her funeral‚ Karabo’s friends painted a grim image of her relationship with Mantsoe‚ alleging that it was an abusive relationship in which she was assaulted.
Meanwhile, Minister of Women and Children Susan Shabangu backtracked yesterday on her controversial remark that slain Karabo was “weak”.
Shabangu said Karabo was vulnerable because she was in a relationship.
On Tuesday night the minister was quoted having said: “While Karabo came across as very strong, she was weak and hence became a victim of abuse.”
Shabangu’s statement drew condemnation from gender-based organisations, politicians and social media.