20 Jan 2015

Principal Magistrate Sijabuliso Sibanda of Francistown has withdrawn from the roll, the murder case of Edwin Samotse following the accused’s disappearance. 

Samotse, 27, is alleged to have stabbed his girlfriend, Tshiamo Kgati to death in March 2011 in Francistown. 

Samotse, who was denied bail when he appeared for mention in October last year, escaped from the Francistown State Prison on October 19 and a warrant of arrest was issued against him.

At the time of his bail hearing, the prosecution argued that Samotse was a flight risk as he was arrested at the Martin’s Drift border trying to cross into South Africa.

The prosecution also mentioned that should he be granted bail and escape back into South Africa, it would be difficult to extradite him back to Botswana because the South African government condemned the death penalty and wanted certain assurances to be made before a suspect could be extradited. 

The accused was extradited from South Africa in August 2014 where he had been on the run since he allegedly committed the offence. During the recent mention, Pprosecutor James Moikwathai pleaded with the court to withdraw the case as per Section 150(4) of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act without prejudice to the state.

He also informed the court that the accused was still on the run. ENDS