The two may both be in the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Services Centre, but that is where the similarities end. Tsiane stays in a large holding cell of at least 20 people in the awaiting trial section of the prison and Pistorius in a single cell in the convicted prisoners hospital section. Tsiane was arrested on November 2006, but he is yet to be sentenced. His trial has dragged on for eight years, which may be partly his fault. He has fired several sets of lawyers and is now representing himself. Tsiane has been charged with kidnapping, robbery with aggravating circumstances, theft, hijacking and illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition. On Wednesday, Tsiane asked Pretoria Magistrate Kallie Bosch to throw his case out of court. Tsiane argued that he was not identified during a witness parade by people who he allegedly robbed. He also said the photographs of the items that he is accused of stealing were taken at the police station six days after his arrest, instead of his home. “Where is the proof that those items were found at the house?” he asked. Bosch refused to discharge the case against Tsiane, saying there was enough evidence to show that a reasonable man may convict him. He said the two hijack victims were credible and so were police who testified that stolen items were found at his house. Additionally, the two hijack victims identified Tsiane in court, said Bosch. Tsiane is on the list of the 20 prisoners who have waited the longest for sentencing, according to the Department of Correctional Services. Since 2006, his sister Masebo Raloto, 53, has been travelling from Mamelodi East to the Pretoria Magistrates Court to support him. She works at a grocery store but tries to make sure she gets the day off work when Tsiane is in court. When the case first started, Raloto would travel with her sister Linda to court, but she has since passed away. Yesterday, Raloto was joined by her children, Baleseng, 18, and her 26-year-old son Sello. After the case was adjourned until December 4, Masebo sighed and said another postponement. Tsianes mother turns 90 next week and he will not be able to celebrate with her. His niece Balesang complained that Oscar was convicted speedily: “If you have money, you have power in South Africa, that is what I learned. Without money you are nothing”.
Posted on: Fri, 07 Nov 2014 21:14:23 +0000
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