09 Oct 2017

A Serowe man of Botalaote ward who allegedly raped and robbed his victim on the eve of Botswana’s 51st independence celebration did not waste court’s time, but right away pleaded guilty to the two counts when he was arraigned recently before Broadhurst Magistrate Court.

The 34-year-old Motshidisi Letsweletse, who is unemployed, is alleged to have committed the crimes and vanished into thin air, but surprisingly on October 2, presented himself before Mogoditshane Police Station, where he told officers that he was responsible for the said crimes.

In a visibly sober appearance, Letsweletse clearly told the court on each count that he pleaded guilty, to much astonishment of the many other detained accused, who had come for regular mention.

On the first count, the court heard that Letsweletse on September 29, 2017 at Mmopane Block 1 in the Kweneng District unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a resident without her consent.

On the second count the accused is said to have on the same instance robbed his victim of a black Vodacom Android cellular phone valued at P500, five  200ml Tropical mango juices values at P60, 1kg Nutri Day double cream yoghurt valued at P23 and 5kg chicken braai pack valued at P150. The accused is said to have used violence on the said victim during commission of the crime.

Meanwhile, prosecutor inspector Tsogo Rantopa of Mogoditshane Police Station told magistrate Tshepo Thedi that since the matter was still fresh and serious, they had not anticipating that the accused would plead guilty and therefore asked the court to set another date of mention where the accused would be read summary of facts.    

Inspector Rantopa said at the moment the investigating officer was on the ground investigating the matter and will therefore urge him to fast track them and compile the report, which will form part of the summary of facts.

The accused will appear for facts reading on October 19, but in the meantime he will remain in custody.ENDS