01 Sep 2015

Gaborone Village Chief Magistrate, Mrs Linah Oahile-Mokibe has reserved ruling to October 13, 2015 in a case in which three men are facing a single charge of armed robbery.

This came shortly after the state represented by Ms Sally Boitumelo from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) finished its case late Monday evening ( August 31)  in the Sebele Mall Northend Filling Station robbery case which has been dragging for the past three years.

When the last state witness, who was also the investigating officer, detective constable Tumelo Matshaba from SSKA Police took to the stand, he elaborately informed the court what transpired on the night of February 05, 2012 as previously detailed by accomplice witness, Agisanyang Makopo while giving evidence in chief.

Accused in the matter are Joseph Gaie, Bampoloki Kgangpetsa and Golwelwang Efedile who according to Mr Matshaba together with the accomplice witness entered the premises of the filling station at around 0200hrs with covered faces and immediately entered the kiosk where they instructed employees to hand over the cash.

He however, stated that one of the four men remained behind in a green military coloured Toyota getaway sedan while three entered the kiosk with one holding something which resembled a handgun. Mr Matshaba said two of the men jumped over the counter and grabbed two cash tills, some cigarettes and cellphone airtime before escaping to the waiting vehicle which shot towards Ledumang location.

The suspects were arrested some days later and when the case resumed Makopo eventually became an accomplished witness, thus effectively damaging defence witness advanced by the accused in their cross examination.

The trial could have continued on January 23, 2015, but the absence of one of the accused, Gaie whose bail has since been revoked, because of another criminal offence, made it difficult for the court to proceed without him.

This long-winded case which has attracted a lot of attention since it started, particularly that some of the accused in the case once had a field day with journalists and prison warders by pelting them with missiles within their reach, resulting in the breaking of a still camera for Mmegi Newspaper, could result in custodial sentence of not less than 10 years, if found guilty as charged.

The previous state witness to give evidence on October 31, 2014 was an accomplice witness, but the case could not proceed to the end since the prosecutor became indisposed because of sudden illness towards the end of the day, thus forcing the matter to be adjourned to January this year. 

The accused who during the trial failed to pose and ask pertinent questions directed at the investigating officer are jointly charged for robbing Northend Filling Station at gun point on February 05, 2012 where cash, cigarettes and airtime totaling P7 000 were stolen.  Gaie is the only one remanded after violating his bail conditions. Ends