26 Aug 2018

Defence attorney Sesupo Masaka’s attempt to have four of his clients who are suspects in a triple murder case released on bail was rejected by Molepolole Magistrate Court.

Presiding magistrate Ms Lindiwe Makgoro said it would be wrong to entertain the defence counsels argument for bail application over a matter that has been addressed by another magistrate.

Despite a ruling on the matter, Masaka insisted that the issue  did not address bail application, but concentrated on the extension of remand warrants against the four accused persons.

Masaka argued that the court should allow him to deal with the issue of bail application, saying it was critical to grant the  accused liberty because it was their fundamental right. “Let us have the accused freed or whoever is in fear can suggest conditions to clear fears,” Masaka said.

However,  Makgoro  dismissed the argument, saying it has been made by the substantive magistrate.

Masaka told the court that the police were not doing enough to complete their investigations as they had promised, stating that it would be unfair for the prosecution to insist on further detention when nothing suggests that their release would affect police investigations.

Attorney Pascal Mhandu of the Department of Public Prosecutions (DPP) pleaded for the extension of the accused’s remand warrant, adding that they had not yet been able to complete investigations.

“We need time to allow the investigating team  to conclude investigations in the case. We are hopeful that in the next appearance we will be able to provide a report on the progress made,” said attorney Mhandu.

The four suspects Tebogo Ramantosha, Mmoloki Thaelo, Poloko Segwagwa and Cornelious Saidoo are each facing three counts of murdering the Ramantosha family in June. Ends