Ethiopian shopkeeper, 29, in court for alleged Mahikeng murder

He is in police custody and the case was postponed to 13 July, for the provision of an interpreter.

Ethiopian shopkeeper, 29, in court for alleged Mahikeng murder

Twenty-nine-year-old Ethiopian shopkeeper, Merkose Desaleng, has appeared before the Mahikeng Magistrate’s court on Friday.

Desaleng was in an altercation with 26-year-old Obakeng Santo at his tuckshop in Magogoe village in Mahikeng. He is said to have then stabbed Santo to death on Wednesday afternoon.

He was later apprehended by police after fleeing the scene. He remains in police custody, and the case was postponed to 13 July, for the provision of an interpreter.

Police spokesperson Captain Majang Skalkie, says, “The suspect Merkose Desaleng, aged 29, appeared before the Mahikeng Magistrate’s Court on Friday, 3 July 2026. The accused remains in custody. The case was postponed to Monday, 13 July 2026, for the provision of an interpreter. The accused is facing the following charges: Murder and Contravention of the Immigration Act, 2002 (Act 13 of 2002).”

Credit: Simthandile Ntobela