Sello Morake
MASERU — Popular comedian Mapuru Makara, popularly known as Cura, had the Maseru Magistrate’s Court in stitches on Thursday when he testified during a preparatory examination into the fatal shooting of prominent taxi operator Molapo Mahloane.
Mahloane was allegedly killed by an off-duty policeman on December 19 2008 just outside his home at Lithabaneng.
The businessman had pulled over his car to confront the officer whose vehicle was blocking the entrance to his residence, according to witnesses.
Makara was one of seven people — alongside Mahloane Mahloane, Oetsi Maphalla and Malefetsane Masia — who gave their testimonies before Magistrate Tšeliso Bale.
The comedian temporarily turned the courtroom into a circus as he related how he helped the son of the deceased identify his father in the mortuary.
Makara, 35, relaxed the mood in an emotionally charged and packed courtroom when he got into the witness box comically flexing his fingers.
When public prosecutor Tsietsi Hlaele asked him to stand up so he could take an oath, the comedian turned the whole thing into quite a spectacle.
Makara told the magistrate how well-read he was, even telling the court his clan name of Bafokeng.
He said he knew the deceased because he rented one of Mahloane’s houses in Mohalalitoe.
The prosecutor tried hard to control the comedian who seemed happy to give a massive performance, seemingly oblivious of the sombre setting.
Members of the public had a torrid time trying to suppress their laughter.
“I helped Mahloane’s son when we went to the mortuary on the 23rd of December 2008 for the identification of the deceased,” Makara said.
“The deceased had four wounds. One was on his chin, two on the shoulder and the fourth on his chest.”
Meanwhile, on Friday the slain businessman’s son, Tšitso Mahloane, told the court how his father was gunned down on that fateful day.
Tšitso told the court he was driving behind his father on their way from Maseru.
“I realised there was a problem when I overheard my father and the assailant screaming at each other,” he said.
“All of a sudden, there were gunshots and I went to investigate what was happening.
“I found my father lying face down in a pool of blood.”
Trial continues on February 15.
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