06 Dec 2017

A Serowe man who allegedly raped and robbed his victim on independence eve was excited when he was granted bail during his appearance for Case Management Conference (CMC) on November 28, 2017.

New developments came after 34-year-old Motshidisi Letsweletse, who is unemployed, was asked by Broadhurst chief magistrate, Ms Faith Dlamini N’gandu whether he wished to file any interlocutory application. It took him sometime to understand the legal phrase as he was not up to scratch with the court language though he chose English as the medium of communication in the matter.

The seemingly lost Letsweletse was however rescued by a Setswana interpreter who explained to him whether he wanted to file anything before the conference could begin, and that was when he said “I want this court to grant me bail” and he went to set his own bail conditions. The magistrate courteously informed him that he was not the one to come up with the bail conditions. 

His bail conditions are that he should sign a bond of P1 000, not to interfere with the victim and possible state witnesses, not to be involved in any sexual or any criminal offences and to report at Mogoditshane Police Station every two weeks and attend all court sessions.

Meanwhile, inspector Tsogo Rantopa of Mogoditshane Police Station, who prosecutes, said the state intended to call four witnesses, adding that he has already served the accused with the necessary documents to prepare for the case.  

Letsweletse, who has a son back home, allegedly committed the crimes in Mmopane Block 1 and vanished into the thin air. However, on October 2, 2017 he presented himself before Mogoditshane Police Station where he told officers that he was responsible for the said crimes.

While he was still reporting himself, his victim who is a 16-year-old girl arrived at the police station accompanied by his elder brother to report the matter. He has, however, pleaded not guilty to the two charges. 

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

In the second count the accused is said to have on the same occasion robbed his victim of a black Vodacom Android cellular phone valued at P500, 5X200ml Tropical mango juices valued 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 victim during the commission of the crime.

Letsweletse, like in previous mentions, was dressed in all white except that he was putting on flip flop shoes and khaki ankle-length socks. 

He will come for another mention on March 27, 2017 while his trial has been set for May 28-29, 2018. ENDS