13 Apr 2016

Murder suspect, Gontse Phoi has died while Keagile Sekwati, who has been the only suspect remaining in custody after his co-accused were released on bail, has finally been granted bail.

Sekwati together with his co-accused face a single count of murder. According to information brought before court by the prosecution, they are alleged to have murdered Nthabiseng Motlogelwa last year.

Motlogelwa was an intern at the Molepolole Magistrate Court and her body was recovered dumped under a culvert at Mpadithata lands near Mogonono in the Kweneng District.

Briefing the court during mention, state prosecutor Inspector Uyapo Koketso of Molepolole police said five suspects were in appearance while the other one died on April 29 at Scottish Livingstone Hospital.

He further produced a copy of his death certificate and withdrawing the charge against him.

Inspector Koketso also noted that in the last appearance they did not have a court order from the High Court which granted the rest of the suspects bail and said they managed to get the order so that similar conditions could be attached to Sekwati’s bail.

He also said they still maintained that since there has been change of circumstances, the prosecution does not object to Sekwati being given conditional bail.

He said investigations were still ongoing as they were awaiting results of the samples they had sent to the forensic laboratory on February 12.

However, he said he was not in a position to tell when the results would be ready as the laboratory was running short of analysing kits.

Inspector Koketso also said they were also waiting for a call data record which has been requested from Orange Botswana.

Meanwhile, Gaborone Regional Magistrate, Mr Chris Gabanagae noted that the orders were made by four different judges and were not similar hence he decided to release Sekwati on similar conditions given to the late Phoi by Justice Tau at Lobatse High Court.

He will appear together with his co-accussed before court on April 13. ENDS