21 May 2014

Aobakwe Lehupu (22) of Ratshere lands in Kweneng District appeared before Molepolole Magistrate Court on May 20 to answer for four counts of murder, two counts of attempted murder and two counts of arson.

He appeared before Principal Magistrate Bhekimpilo Sibanda. According to the facts of the case, Aobakwe murdered four people being Odirile Phepheng, Letlhokwa Ramonnaangaka, Mmamontsho Lehupu and Gomolemo Lehupu on May 4 at Ratshere lands in Kweneng District.

The prosecution also stated that Aobakwe tried to murder two others being Tshepo Lehupu and Amantle Lehupu by burning the hut they were sleeping in. The two sustained injuries and were still admitted at Scottish Livingstone Hospital in Molepolole.

Prosecutors said, on the same day and still at Ratshere lands, Aobakwe willfully and unlawfully set fire to a hut belonging to Keorapetse Phepheng and three huts belonging to Gomolemo Lehupu destroying all the property of unknown value in the huts.

He was also charged with threat to kill.  He reportedly said the words “Ke tlile go le bolaya jaaka batho ba ke ba bolaileng” meaning “I will kill you like the others that I have killed”, to Obikina Lehupu and Matsapa Phepheng.

Aobakwe, whose victims included his grandparents, aunt and a niece, maintained his silence in court. The prosecutor, Inspector Kenadijo of Molepolole police told the court that the prosecution was still awaiting post mortem reports and applied that the remand warrant for the accused be extended.

Mr Sibanda extended Aobakwe’s remand and he will appear again for mention on June 3. Ends