21 Apr 2016

Murder accused in the death of 11-year-old Clifford Mochocho’s case Gaofengwe Selaolo has told the Broadhurst Magistrate Court that investigating officers have tortured her.

Briefing the court on Thursday April 21, Selaolo said she sustained bruises as a result of torture by the police.

She pleaded with Magistrate Merafhe Tladi to tell the officers to desist from doing that as she ended up saying things which were not true.

When quizzed by the Magistrate as to what she did after being tortured, she told the packed court that she reported the matter to prison officers.

Asked if she knew anything about the matter, the prosecuting officer Sub Inspector Onkemetse Modukanele denied any knowledge of the matter, but promised to investigate the merits of it. She advised the accused to open a case against the officers.

Sub inspector Modukanele asked the court to remand the accused in custody as the investigating officers have not yet received all exhibits used in the murder.

“Your Worship if you grant her bail, we are afraid she might destroy those exhibits,” pleaded the prosecuting officer.

She also told the court that they were still waiting for a doctor’s report, adding they feared that the accused might interfere with witnesses as well.

She also said remanding the accused in custody is for her own protection.

Magistrate Tladi told the prosecuting officer to help the accused to formally report the allegation of assault to the police.

The accused was remanded in prison and will appear again on May 4. ENDS