05 May 2014

Chief Magistrate Faith Dlamini N’gandu of Molepolole has rejected a request to consolidate the single count of burglary faced by Gaofenngwe Kebonyemotse of Thamaga with other offences.

Rejecting the request, Mrs N’gandu said the charge faced by Kebonyemotse was not related to the ones he committed with Tshephang Sepoya and as a result should be treated separately.  

She said merging the counts could confuse the prosecution, presiding magistrate as well as the entire case proceedings. The prosecutor, Mishingo Kedikanetswe had requested the presiding magistrate to merge the single count of burglary with the 14 others the accused committed jointly with Sepoya.

Kebonyemotse and Sepoya both from Thamaga are facing 14 counts which ranged from stealing from dwelling houses, burglary and theft of a motor vehicle, the offences they committed between March 2013 and January 2014.

Kedikanetswe had pleaded with the presiding magistrate to have charges consolidated in one charge sheet and be tried as a single case as per the accused’s request. She warned that it would not be advisable for prosecution to consolidate charges and make it one case. 

The case will resume on May 8 and the prosecutor would further address the court on the issue of consolidation. Ends