/ 7 February 2014

Initiation school owner guilty of teen deaths

The league lost its legal status as a result of the ruling by acting judge Tony Mundell in October last year.
The league lost its legal status as a result of the ruling by acting judge Tony Mundell in October last year.

The owner of an initiation school was found guilty of culpable homicide in the high court in Kimberley after the death of an initiate, the Star reported on Friday.

Ellen Mogwera (30) pleaded not guilty to the death of an initiate without giving reasons why.

She was also found guilty of defeating the ends of justice and assault.

Gabaediwe Agnes Motsage died after she and another woman were assaulted in December 2012 at the initiation school in Hartswater.

Two of Mogwera's three co-accused, John van Vis (19) and two minors, were found guilty of assault with intent to de grievous bodily harm, but were acquitted on charges of murder and kidnapping.

Mogwera admitted she knew she had assaulted the girls, and said she used a stick to beat them.

Delivering the verdict, Judge Hennie Lacock pointed out that Mogwera, after hitting the deceased with a sjambok, then hit her on her head with a knobkerrie.

"Mogwera will be convicted of culpable homicide and not murder, as she used the knobkerrie but did not intentionally kill the deceased," said Lacock.

Sentencing would take place on March 13 and 14. Sapa