30 Nov 2014

The state has made an undertaking that it will not oppose bail application in the case in which three men are accused of stealing two government vehicles at Glen Valley BDF Camp when the matter comes to court for bail hearing in two weeks time.

The undertaking came on November 26 during submissions by the state and the defence lawyers, who were arguing whether it was not time for the accused persons; Oteng Pule, Modisaotsile Rentse and Thabo Seswai to be given bail. 

They were accused of stealing a Toyota Land Cruiser and a Ford Ranger between July 30 and 31.

In his opening submission, the lead prosecutor, Mr Kutlo Tsekane, who was with Mrs Khumoetsile Tirelo from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said they needed more time to carry out investigations, noting that the team was yet to go to Swaziland after its unsuccessful trip in South Africa, where the stolen vehicles were suspected to have been smuggled to. 

He therefore pleaded with the court to allow the investigating officer, Assistant Superintendent Joshua Ntau of Serious Crime Squad to take witness stand to elaborate more on their investigations. 

Buttressing the argument, Mrs Tirelo said it would be fair for the state to be given 14 days as opposed to eight days, which was suggested by the defence during their discussion outside court the previous day. 

She said eight days was not enough as they were going to be dealing with investigating officers in a foreign land whom they cannot agitate to move as fast as they would like them to.  Mrs Tirelo however said the state was ready to lay its head on the block not to oppose bail in the next mention should they be given 14 days, come what may. 

However, one of the defence lawyers, Mr Friday Leburu said there was no need for the investigating officer to take stand, a move which was similarly shared by Village Chief Magistrate, Mrs Linah Mokibe-Oahile as they were amenable for a further 14 days provided the state took this undertaking.

Mr Leburu’s partner, Mr Olihile Mantswe was however not happy with the way the state was conducting investigations as he said it seems to be twisting and at the same time fabricating facts to its advantage. 

Nevertheless, Magistrate Mokibe -Oahile called assistant superintendent Ntau to the stand, who confidently told the court that with the speed and robustness that he is investing in the case, he may even take less than 14 days and as such call the matter to court for bail hearing earlier than the set date. 

The matter will come before court on December 10. ENDS