19 Apr 2016

A defence lawyer in a cab driver’s murder case has apologised to trial judge, Chief Justice Maruping Dibotelo, for the non-attendance of his counterpart, Ms Dikeledi Dingake.

When the court resumed its sitting, Mrs Dingake’s whereabouts were unknown to the court and the presiding officer called for the matter to be stood down to allow Mr Kabelo Nkwe to get in touch with Ms Dingake, who upon their conversation informed him that she was unwell.

Mr Nkwe then informed the court that Attorney Dingake had been excused from work for the whole of this week and would fax the sick note later during the day.

However, the chief justice was not amused saying the lawyer could have informed the court well in time.

However, Mr Nkwe, who represented Moabi Mabiletsa, while Ms Dingake represented Matshidiso Boikanyo, said the defence lawyers were committed to ensuring that the case was given due attention and would communicate at all times.

This matter, which was scheduled to run for two days, was therefore postponed to later this week. It might be pushed to the middle of the year subject to availability of suitable dates for all concerned parties in the case.

The defence was scheduled to cross examine the seventh state witness, Mr Boitshepo Bojosi, who is a forensic scientist with the Botswana Police Service. Mr Bojosi testified two weeks ago before the case went for recess.

His evidence in chief linked Mabiletsa to the knife that was used to kill the cab driver, Mr Vincent Mopipi, on the night of September 13, 2013 at the Block 9 location in Gaborone.

Meanwhile, the prosecution was left with one witness, Detective Inspector Mmilili Mashabile of Gaborone West Police Station. ENDS