13 May 2014

One of the two remanded accused in a case in which a night watchman was murdered at the Gaborone North Farms on August 28, 2013, has requested the court to set far mention dates as the prosecution is taking time to complete its investigations.

During their routine mention to update the court on the progress of the case on May 12, Phemelo Tshelang told the court that the police were taking a long time to finish the investigations.

He said his coming to court after every two weeks was therefore a waste of time because the case was not getting anywhere. He therefore, requested the court to set dates not in the near future and further urged the police to speed up their investigations so that the matter could eventually be committed to the High Court for possible prosecution.

His wish was granted as he would go for mention on June 6 with the rest of the accused who are on bail, while his remand mate, Lebang Thabo Ntesi, would mention on May 26.

Those who are on bail are Gorata Sebego, Patrick Gaile and Mpho Mangwa. Sebego and Gaile were granted bail by Village Chief Magistrate, Mrs Linah Oahile-Mokibe and have produced two sureties who bond themselves with P10 000 each. Mangwa on the other hand obtained his at the High Court.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor, Sub-inspector Galekhutle Mashumba of Sir Seretse Khama Airport Police Station (SSKA) told the court that he had engaged his station commander who in turn wrote a savingram to the director of the forensic laboratory regarding the release of forensic report of the deceased. In the meantime, they were still awaiting the response while other investigations continued.

According to the particulars of the offence, the five men, who are all residents of Oodi, on the night of August 28, 2013 at Gaborone North Farms acting together with a common purpose murdered one Mr Olebogeng Ramapulane, who is said to have been on duty as a night watchman.

On the second count, the five men are accused for the attempted murder of Liu Jian Hui, still at the same farm on the same day. During the attempt on his life, Hui was gravely injured and got admitted at Princess Marina Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.

Police have so far managed to recover some items believed to have been stolen during the commission of the offence.

They have recovered a lap top and P15 280 cash belonging to the injured man.

The police are in the meantime are contemplating adding a third charge of armed robbery. ENDS