05 Jan 2016

A fifth accused in the alleged Molepolole ritual murder case Keeagile Sekwati who was mistakenly left out when four of his co-accused were given opportunity through their defence attorneys to apply for bail, his bail application has also been dismissed with reasons similar to those of his co-accused. 

Sekwati who appeared unrepresented in the previous mentions’ bail application before Chief Magistrate Dlamini-Ng’andu was dismissed on the basis that he may hamper police investigations as the prosecution was hoping to arrest more alleged perpetrators who are still at large.

The suspect Sekwati pleaded with the court to release him on bail saying the court had to bear with the fact that he played a critical role in assisting the police to apprehend some of the accused who took part in the alleged murder of the Thamaga woman Motlogelwa sometime in October last year.

Magistrate Dlamini-Ng’andu said although the prosecution may be appreciative of his great assistance in helping to arrest other suspects, it is also important for the court to give the case the seriousness it deserve towards ensuring that no one is given special dispensation, because the offence in which they are charged with is a serious one that carries a maximum penalty of capital punishment.

“The mater in which you are a suspect is a serious one that carries a maximum penalty of capital punishment therefore it is for the court not to only consider your right to liberty, but to as well look into the gravity of the offence you are faced with.

Keeagile Sekwati, Mojalemotho Mokate, Moetapele Kgololo, Mosimanegape Moatshe together with Sebeninyana Puso are currently faced with a single count of murdering a Thamaga woman Ms Motlogelwa who was found murdered at Mpadithate lands sometime in October. The deceased was attached to Administration of Justice in Molepolole on an internship programme.

Meanwhile, magistrate Ng’andu pointed out reasons similar to those initial advanced by her colleague magistrate Lindiwe Makgoro who stated that it was important for the prosecution to be given ample time to complete investigations by not leaving any stone unturned to be able to bring to book individuals who have not yet been arrested.

The four who were initially represented came in persons in the absence of their attorneys, the situation that prompted the presiding magistrate Dlamini-Ng’andu to make a 10 minutes adjournment to enable the four suspects communicate with their attorneys and update the court.

The court was later informed by prosecutor Assistant Superintendent Seth Tau that the defence attorneys could not make it to court since the appearance was just for the extension of remand warrants for the five accused persons and it would not require their presence.

Mr Tau further told a fully parked Molepolole Magistrate court that the detention of the five suspects was also aimed to protect them from some outrageous members of the public who in the last appearance went on the rampage looting and destroying some businesses in Molepolole. Ends