31 Aug 2016

A trial in which a Mogoditshane resident, Lamodisa ‘Condom’ Ratsie is facing a single count of murder may kick-start next year.

This surfaced on Monday during status hearing of the matter when the Gaborone High Court moved the matter to December 12, 2016 where the court will set new trial dates.

The prosecutor from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), Ms Daphne Gadise who took the case from Mr Kealeboga Kapeko said three state witnesses had testified, while eight more were lined-up to take stand when the matter resumes.

Five witnesses were admitted by the defence. The case was late last year postponed to June 23, 2016 for continuation of trial, but it did not materialise as the court failed to sit.

The case went for recess with the third state witness having account of what happened.

He had told the court that the deceased who was his friend died when he was trying to restrain some men who were robbing him (witness).

Mr Robert Keikabile said he was sober when he was robbed of his wallet containing money shortly before his friend was stabbed to death with a knife.

Mr Keikabile said he was about to buy a pint of Chibuku at Ms Obamang Dikgang’s shebeen in Kgodiring ward in Mogoditshane on the night of November 30, 2011, when he was pushed from the side and saw his wallet flying up in the air and dropping down.

He said the deceased, Mr Elijah Modise, tried to grab the wallet from the ground, but was met with fierce opposition from Ratsie and his friend only identified as Tom.

At a super speed, he said, Ratsie gave Mr Modise a hot slap across his face and when the deceased tried to retaliate, Ratsie stabbed him once above his left breast with a knife and fell down.

Mr Keikabile told the court that all along he had not been drinking as he was watching a game of snooker, while Ratsie and Tom were dancing to the music which came from jukebox that was housed in the tuck shop.

He told the court that up to now he never recovered his P450 and an FNB debit card which were stolen by Ratsie and Tom.

Though it was around 10pm, he said he was able to see everything more so that there was enough light from the outside lamp of the tuck shop.

“I have been sober all along and that could have been my first drink, but I did not know the sobriety of Ratsie though he had taken some alcohol,” he said.

Mr Keikabile said he had known Ratsie as he had seen him before, noting that it was not true that the deceased ever hit Ratsie with a blow and uttered threatening words that said he will ‘delete him’.

Another witness, Ms Dikgang or Mma-Happy told the court that she saw Ratsie stabbing Mr Modise with a knife at her homestead.

Ms Dikgang, who at the time was selling Chibuku in her tuck shop, told the court that the incident happened shortly after the accused pick-pocketed a wallet belonging to Mr Keikabile.

She said an altercation ensued between the deceased and the accused, but the former was stabbed once with a knife and staggered backwards before falling down.

Ratsie, who is on bail, was represented by attorney Ofentse Khumomotse.  ENDS