06 Jun 2018

An investigating officer in the Mmopane Block 1 rape and robbery trial, which is on hold, has told the Broadhurst Magistrate’s Court that the accused is the one who reported himself to the police on October 1, 2017.

Giving evidence in chief, Detective Constable Percy Molokwe of Mogoditshane Police Station said he first met the accused, Motshidisi Letsweletse, on October 1, 2017 when he arrived at the police station and told officers that he had raped a certain woman in Mmopane, but suspects the victim has not reported the matter.

Detective Constable Molokwe noted that the police were alarmed and realising this the accused offered to take them to the scene of crime, but unfortunately when they got there the victim was not around and the house was also locked.

The police officer noted that when they were about to return to the office, Letsweletse told them that there was a cellular phone, which he stole from his victim, and went ahead to take it from the house. 

In addition, he told them that there were additional exhibits kept in a nearby under-construction house where some food items were retrieved. The retrieving of the food items was done in the presence of Tshiamo “Rasta” Elemetswe, who had accommodated the accused as they are friends. 

The food items were later disposed of as they were perishables and could not be kept for long until trial gets into motion.

In the meantime, Detective Constable Molokwe told the court that they were able to reach the victim the following day through contacting her elder brother who told them that they were on their way to the police station to report the matter. 

He said statements were recorded with the victim narrating the whole story to the police. 

Regrettably, Detective Constable Molokwe told the court that when the accused was confronted in the presence of both the victim and her mother, he boasted and said some unprintable.      The 34-year-old Letsweletse of Botalaote ward in Serowe is alleged to have on September 29, 2017 at Mmopane Block 1 in the Kweneng District unlawfully had carnal knowledge of a certain woman (name withheld) without her consent. 

On 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, who is self-represented, is said to have used violence on the said victim during the commission of the crime and has pleaded not guilty to both charges. He returns to court on July 19, 2018 where he is scheduled to testify under oath. 

Ms Atang Mongae and Mr Ookeditse Gabothuse from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) prosecute, while Broadhurst Chief Magistrate Ms Faith Dlamini-N’gandu presides.  ENDS