LEKOMPO artist's alleged shooters appear in court.
Two men who were arrested in connection with the murder of lekompo artist, Adifele Lastborn Maimela (26), popularly known as Fuego (Baswele Mfana) will spend the next eight days behind bars.
Masheleng July Mashishi, who is accused number one and Karabo Kgoroshi Lucas Mothiba, who is accused number two, appeared in the Polokwane Magistrates Court on Thursday, 8 April.
They were remanded in custody and will appear again for bail application hearing on Thursday, 16 April.
When the accused walked into the dock, Mashishi was clad in a black Puma sweater, while Mothiba was wearing a black T-shirt.
Fuego's legion of fans including his producer, Lepaka and Limpopo Artists Movement (LAM) chairman Mphoza Mashabela, grunted in anger.
Speaking to Daily Sun, Mashabela said Fuego's death left him frothing at the mouth.
"It's such a relief that the two suspects did not get bail. We really welcome the decision by the court to deny them bail," he said.
Mashabela said their organisation visited Fuego's family on Wednesday, 8 April and pledged to help with a dignified burial.
"We are calling on all artists to come to Fuego's funeral and later to court in large numbers to drum up support for his family when these two suspects appear again for a bail hearing.
"This will send a strong message to the court that we are opposed to these people getting bail," he said.
Fuego was allegedly shot during a love triangle dispute at his residential apartment in Polokwane on Tuesday morning, 7 April.
It's alleged that Fuego and Lepaka were followed to their apartment by Mashishi and Mothiba.
An argument erupted over a woman who was with Fuego and Lepaka and Mashishi fired a shot at the artist. Fuego sustained a gunshot wound and was rushed to the nearest hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.
The suspects allegedly drove to Polokwane Police Station, where they informed the police that they fired shots at people who had allegedly kidnapped the woman.
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As they were narrating their story, the police received a phone call from hospital staff where Fuego was admitted.
They told the police they had admitted a patient with a gunshot wound and that anyone who arrived at the police station to open a case linked to the incident should be arrested.
Mashishi and Mothiba were arrested and detained at the Polokwane Police Station holding cells.
Limpopo police spokesman Malesela Ledwaba said Fuego was fatally shot in Magazyn Street in Polokwane.
He said Fuego was at a rented residence with his girlfriend when Mashishi and Mothiba, allegedly known to the girlfriend, arrived at the premises.
An altercation allegedly ensued between the victim and the suspects, which later escalated when more people joined the confrontation.
During the incident, one of the two suspects, believed to be Mashishi, allegedly drew a firearm and fired shots and wounded the victim.
Ledwaba said after the shooting, the same shooter allegedly asked his friends to help transport Fuego to hospital using his vehicle. He said Mashishi and Mothiba were arrested and charged with murder.
