The murder trial of five men who allegedly killed a Phuthaditjhaba policeman and two others in 2009 began in the Harrismith Circuit Court on Monday.
Moabi Morapedi, Mohlalefang Mokwena, Jan Radebe, Mkhulu Radebe and Lehlohonolo Moloi face counts of murder, two charges of attempted murder and four of hijacking and being in possession of an unlicensed firearm.
Free State police spokesperson Mmako Mophiring said the men allegedly hijacked a car in Bluegumbosch near the Three Rand tavern in May 2009.
The tavern owner, Lejone Mokoena, 49, of Mabolela Village was shot in the stomach, but survived.
The accused fled with his white Toyota Corolla.
They also faced charges for the shooting of Lucky Ramaditse of Vanderbiljpark and his girlfriend Tshepiso Radebe. The couple were sitting in the car near the Makabelane Secondary School.
He was shot in the stomach and survived but his girlfriend was killed.
During another two incidents the men allegedly hijacked a Volkswagen Golf belonging to Lerato Koloi who was a student at the Maluti College at De Bult, Phuthaditjhaba.
She was gunned down and her body left in her car.
Later, on the same day, the men allegedly hijacked the vehicle of the late Inspector Ike Mokoena of Phuthaditjhaba.
They allegedly forced the police officer to drop them off near the Phuthaditjhaba Community Hall and shot him.
His body was dumped near the Reahola Public School in Phuthaditjhaba.
The men were arrested in an intense intelligence-driven operation after the shooting of the police officer. -
Sapa