13 Nov 2014

Hukuntsi Magistrate Court has denied bail to two double murder accused as they are a danger to the society. 

The duo, who appeared on November 11, were the 30- year-old Tshiamo Kgalalelo and 25- year-old Mika Mpe, both from Werda. They are alleged to have robbed and murdered Mmamosotho Disere, a farm employee, on October 7, 2014. 

According to the particulars of the offence, the two on the fateful day at Kalakanche Farm near Kang in Kgalagadi District, acting jointly and with common purpose robbed Disere of a rifle and a laptop and later murdered her.

The pair was also facing another murder charge before Ghanzi Magistrate Court after robbing, raping and murdering Ms Reinette Vorster on January 31, 2014 at one of the farms in the outskirts of Ghanzi Township. 

During the accused bail application hearing, state prosecutor Inspector Poloko Oteng of Tshane Police Station contended that the duo committed the second murder at Kalakanche while out on bail, thus it was evident that they were a danger to the society.

He therefore, pleaded with the magistrate to consider the eminent danger that the accused pose to the community bearing in mind the seriousness of the crimes they committed within a short period of time while on bail. 

In his bail ruling, Hukuntsi magistrate, Mr Johnny Baakile said the accused should be treated innocent until proven otherwise. However, he said constitutional rights were not absolute therefore they could be denied bail looking at the prevailing circumstances at the time.

Magistrate Baakile concurred with the prosecution that the accused were facing serious offences of murder before Ghanzi and Hukuntsi Magistrate Courts respectively and if convicted they might face death penalty. In addition, they had also committed other offenses such as robbery and rape, which attracted mandatory custodial sentences.

He therefore dismissed the claim brought by the accused that if given bail, they would obey its conditions particularly that they had in the past violated it and thus had it revoked.  They would appear for another mention on February 25, 2015. ENDS