23 Oct 2016

A Lerala man accused of assaulting a Thamaga police inspector has been freed from the charge by Molepolole magistrate, Ms One Machiba following prosecution’s failure to provide sufficient evidence that may warrant conviction.

The accused, Elliot Masankane, a night watchman at Lerala Information Services office represented by attorney MacBain Kaang was discharged on the basis that there was no corroborating evidence among prosecution witnesses that could compel conviction.

The 35-year-old man of Segole ward in Lerala  in the Tswapong area is alleged to have assaulted Sub- inspector Tsheboeng; a Thamaga -based police officer by kicking him, resulting in his uniform being torn.

Presenting judgement, Magistrate Machiba freed the accused from assault charge, uarguing that each of the three prosecution witnesses who claimed to have witnessed the incident provided contradicting evidence on how the assault happened, thus leaving the court with no choice by to discharge and acquit the accused.

The presiding magistrate said  the court does not dispute that the offence took place and that it was the accused who was involved in the alleged offence, but the prosecution failed to provide corroborating evidence on how the accused committed the alleged offence.

In another case, the court deferred sentencing Baboloki Ketshogile for breaking into a storeroom at Motswasele junior secondary school to October 24. ENDS