28 Jan 2016

One more person has been added to the five accused people in the ritual murder of Ms  Nthabiseng Motlogetlwa, who was serving internship at Molepolole Magistrate Court.

Clement Phoi was formally charged today (January 28) alongside Keeagile Sekwati, Mojalemotho Mokate, Moetapele Kgololo, Mosimanegape Moatshe and Sebeninyana Puso for the murder of Ms Motlogelwa whose decomposed body was found at Mpadithate near Mogonono lands sometime in October 2015. 

Sekwati had in the previous mention told the court that he positively identified another suspect in the matter, but he iwas wondering why he was not charged and  brought before the court. 

However, Phoi wondered why he was linked to the alleged murder case arguing that he did not know any of the co-accused. He said even the day he was confronted with one of the accused, he did not get anything except that there were lots of contradictions.

Defence attorney, Mr Letlhogonolo Makgane, who represented the third accused said they could no longer afford delays as prosecution was failing to avail the investigating officer to brief the court on what could have delayed completion of police investigations.

Mr Makgane said it was important for the court to come up with a new date for delivery of the ruling by Magistrate Lindiwe Makgoro on whether the accused could be granted bail or not, as the initial date set for the ruling was overtaken by the events following a High Court order for the ruling on bail to be delivered within 14 days. 

Another Attorney Legolo Relaeng pleaded with the court to give dates on when the ruling will be delivered, saying the length of time the five accused persons had been imprisoned was punishment enough.

Attorney Mc Bain Kaang expressed disappointment at the manner in which the prosecution was handling the matter, arguing that their pace was disappointing. 

The magistrate set February 4 as the date in which a ruling on bail would be delivered. Both Sekwati and Phoi were not represented.

The prosecutor wanted the accused persons to be remanded in custody to allow for further investigations, adding that they were hoping to make more arrests. Ends