LAB BLUNDER
A murder case in Kanye has taken an unexpected turn after it was revealed before the court that forensic samples were mixed up at the lab. The murder case in which Kefentse Keke Rangaka is accused of killing and dismembering his mother in 2024 has taken a new twist. During his bail hearing this Tuesday at Kanye Magistrate Court, state prosecutor Inspector Andy Motsumi stunned the court when he revealed that DNA test results had been mixed up.
He said the investigating officer informed him that the samples were wrongly labelled, forcing authorities to call in the accused's younger brother for fresh blood samples.
This revelation left the accused visibly confused.
'Le raya gore ke a go seka ka madi a ga nnake?' he asked in disbelief, questioning why his brother’s DNA was needed. Magistrate Keneilwe Kgoadi told him that the court could not answer for what the prosecution said, and advised him to record such concerns for trial. The magistrate reminded Motsumi that he had mentioned pending forensic affidavits in the previous sitting, then handed him court documents for review.
Motsumi repeated the update about the lab mix-up, noting that the correct DNA comparisons were still underway. Rangaka, 38, then told the court that his brother was home briefly for a short course, claiming he was the only one able to care for their homestead.
He asked for bail, but the magistrate turned him down, reminding him that he had long been advised to seek relief through the High Court. Rangaka stands accused of killing his 59-year-old mother, Keafiwa Rangaka, at their home at Goo Kgano last year in September. Her body was found hacked and hidden under a wooden wardrobe.
After the gruesome killing, he allegedly fled, only to be nabbed four days later. He is also suspected of having killed a neighbour in a separate incident, years ago, using a three-legged pot. Rangaka has maintained that he never assaulted his mother. Yet investigators told the court he had a violent history, and family members remain fearful and angry.
The case continues on May 21st.