Court dismisses former policeman’s claim of malicious prosecution

A FORMER policeman arrested for murder and later acquitted has failed to provide the Polokwane High Court with evidence that his arrest was malicious prosecution, the court ordered.

- NOMONDE ZONDI

The now-retired police officer, Lesiba Simon Mokhonoana, sued the Minister of Police, National Director of Public Prosecution, and the Independent Police Investigative Directorate (Ipid) for malicious prosecution.

Mokhonoana was charged with the murder of Collen Ramashala, who was found dead in his bed at his home on September 8, 2014. In December 2016, the prosecution decided to prosecute the ex-cop on a charge of murder, in which Mokhonoana pleaded not guilty. On February 25, 2019, Mokhonoana was acquitted.

In his application to sue the four defendants, Mokhonoana said the police, including the complainant, had no probable cause to prosecute him. He accused the prosecution and police of acting without reasonable and probable cause.