22 May 2014

Village Court Principal Magistrate, Mr Goodwill Makofi has implored the prosecution to extend the spirit of compassion towards murder accused, Taku Gandari by assisting him in his bail application.

Magistrate Makofi made the appeal after learning from Gandari that he has long applied for bail at the High Court last year in April, but nothing has happened so far. Gandari, who this time around looked visibly disturbed, said he has since learned from his brother whom he had sent to ask about his bail application at the High Court that there are some documents which needs to be attached to his bail application.

He told the equally concerned magistrate that the High Court wants the Village Court to furnish it with some documents pertaining to his case. However, magistrate Makofi urged the prosecutor to see how Gandari could be assisted, stating that usually, under these circumstances, one qualifies for bail after staying for a year in prison unless there are impediments.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor from DPP, Ms Thato Gower said committal of Gandari’s matter to the High Court will take some time as the investigating officer has not yet recorded a statement from one of the state witnesses.

She recently told the court that the Director of DPP, Mr Leonard Sechele has sent back the file so that an additional witness statement could be obtained before it could be signed for committal.

Ms Gower said this is what has once more delayed the committal of the case to the High Court for possible prosecution.

Lately Ms Gower, who was late last year allocated the case, told the court that assessment of the case has been done and that the prosecution was eagerly waiting for the director to append his signature to the documents to facilitate its committal to the High Court for trial.

The assessment of a case comes shortly after the police forensic laboratory completes DNA analysis on exhibits which were found at the murder scene. Gandari is charged with the murder of his wife, Omphile in March last year at Maipei ward in Mmopane. The case will come for another mention on June 04, 2014. ENDS