Botha-Bothe, June 02 -- Ts'epo Mokeki oa Ngoajane, a 23-year-old, is set to appear in court again on June 20, 2024, facing charges of arson.

Mokeki is accused of starting a fire that burned down Mr. Takatso Matela's house on March 8, 2024, in Makhunoane Makhoakhoeng. The charges against him are based on contravening sections 73 and 109 of the Penal Code Act No. 6 of 2010.

Before Magistrate Relebohile Khongoana, Prosecutor Mamosebatho Letsie called Mr. Matela to the stand to testify regarding the incident.

Mr. Matela recounted that on the day of the incident, he was at a local tavern drinking with others. He fell asleep on a chair with his beer bottle nearby. Upon waking, he learned from the bartender that Mokeki had taken and broken his bottle outside. Directed by his drinking companions, he found the broken bottle near the tavern's toilet.

Mr. Matela attempted to drink from the bottle, but Mokeki intervened, leading to a scuffle. As it grew late, Matela decided to go home, accompanied by Thabang and the bartender, with Mokeki following them.

He testified that Mokeki began insulting and threatening him on their way home, stating his intention to kill him by burning down the house he would be sleeping in. Thabang advised Matela to take a different route to avoid Mokeki.

Mr. Matela changed his route, went home, and later that night was awakened by people alerting him to a fire. He found that his house was indeed on fire, consistent with Mokeki's earlier threats.

Thabang, in his testimony, corroborated Matela's account, stating he heard Mokeki's threats and suggested the change of route for Matela’s safety. Thabang learned the next morning that Matela's house had burned down, recalling Mokeki's threats from the previous night.

The accused is set to appear in court again on June 20 for further hearing.