Two young men from Letlhakeng village, Tshegofatso Ditladi, 23, and Poloko Kgaiso, 25, appeared before Molepolole Magistrates’ Court on Monday facing charges of bar breaking and theft and theft common.
The duo allegedly broke into The Road Bar on August 6th, 2023 and stole cash and alcohol worth P2 626.
They also stole cigarettes, matches and beans from a street vendor.
They were arrested after the police traced their shoe prints to Ditladi’s place.
According to the police, the duo damaged the back door of the bar and entered the premises.
They took P806 in cash and several bottles of beer and liquor.
They then proceeded to drink some of the stolen alcohol and left the empty bottles behind.
They also robbed a street vendor, Tlamelo Lizzy Maeletso, of her cigarettes, matches and beans.
The owner of the bar reported the incident to the police, who followed the shoe prints from the crime scene to Ditladi’s place.
They found Ditladi and Kgaiso there, along with some of the stolen items.
The duo pleaded for bail, claiming that they had left their children and relatives home alone.
Ditladi said he had left his girlfriend on postpartum confinement and his blind mother.
Kgaiso said it was his first time to commit a crime and that he had two young children without anyone to care for them.
However, the prosecution opposed their bail application, arguing that they were facing serious offences and that they could interfere with the investigations.
Principal Magistrate Solomon Setshedi agreed with the prosecution and ordered that the duo be remanded in custody until August 29th, 2023.