Court clerk granted R2,000 bail after five police dockets go missing

A 34-year-old court clerk, Moeketsi Mokoena, was granted R2,000 bail in the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate’s Court after being arrested in connection with the alleged theft of five police dockets.

Arrest and bail

Mokoena appeared in court on Thursday for a formal bail application following his arrest by Phuthaditjhaba police. During the latest appearance, he was granted bail of R2,000.

What was taken

Police say the five missing dockets had been prepared for court proceedings scheduled for Monday, August 24, and were kept securely locked inside the prosecutor’s office. The alleged theft is reported to have taken place between August 21 and 23.

How the loss was discovered

An official was reportedly instructed to collect the dockets and take them to court. When that person arrived to retrieve them, the dockets were found to be missing.

Serious charges involved

The missing dockets related to cases involving murder, rape, attempted murder, stock theft and sexual assault.

Next steps

The matter was postponed to October 22 for further investigations. Police said the investigation remains ongoing.