23 May 2016

Magistrate Rosemary Khutlo on Tuesday sentenced 19-year-old Atlang Letlamma of Ditshegwane to five years imprisonment for two counts of unlawful wounding. 

Particulars of the offence are that on February 27 this year, the accused unlawfully wounded Mr Molebatsi Keaitse by stabbing him on the back and waist with a knife in Ditshegwane. Still on the same date, the accused also wounded Mr Kemmonye Badumetse by stabbing him with a knife on the back.

When passing judgement, Magistrate Khutlo appreciated that the accused did not waste the court’s time and sentenced him to three years imprisonment with two years suspended. The accused was told not to commit any offence during the suspended two years. 

On the second count, the accused was sentenced to two years imprisonment which will run concurrently with the first sentence, meaning he will only serve two years of the total sentence. 

During mitigation, the accused person pleaded with the court to be lenient on him stating that he was taking care of his grandmother who wouldl be left alone if he was taken to prison.

Still in Molepolole, Principal Magistrate Mr William Modise reminded fathers on the importance of helping mothers support their children stating that failure to do so constitutes an offence.

He said this during a case in which Ms Tshepiso Masaka took Mr Thapelo Letshwithi to court for failure to support their child. He was ordered to pay P250 every month as child maintenance.

Magistrate Modise emphasised that it is of great importance for fathers to take part in the support of the child, especially financially, even when the parents are no longer a couple. He also raised concern at the tendency by some mothers to deny fathers access to their children, saying such an act should be condemned, and encouraged fathers who encounter such treatment to report the cases. ENDS