22 Jun 2014

Gaborone High Court Judge, Justice Terrance Rannowane has postponed bail hearing for murder accused, Taku Gandari to June 26 because the state had not filed opposing affidavits.

The state counsel from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms Seeletso Ookeditse told the court that although they had not filed opposing affidavits, they intend to oppose the bail application because investigations were still ongoing.  Ms Ookeditse said they have been informed that Gandari was married out of community of property and that the property in Mmopane might not be his.

The investigating officer said she had been in contact with the Deeds Registry to ascertain whether he was married in community of property or not. Gandari’s residence permit was also said to have expired. She said they were the major points that the state was going to use to anchor its case.

However, Gandari told Judge Rannowane that the state was deliberately delaying the case, adding that he has been in prison for a year and three months. He requested earlier dates for his bail hearing, saying he was the sole provider for his three children whom he fathered with his late wife, Omphile, and called on the state to expedite its investigations.

The Zimbabwean born Gandari, who is a builder by profession and speaks fluent Setswana, said he was optimistic that the Deeds Registry would show that he was married in community of property, adding that he has not even tampered with the blue books of their vehicles as they bear his names. Gandari allegedly murdered his wife Omphile in March last year in Maipei ward in Mmopane after a misunderstanding between the two. They got married in 2002.

He has since been in prison and his case has passed through three magistrates so far and is yet to be committed to the High Court for possible prosecution. ENDS