26 May 2019

A 19-year-old male of Ghanzi, facing murder charge will undergo a mental fitness exam to determine if he is fit to stand trial.

Making a ruling on the application made by the prosecution on recently, Ghanzi Magistrate, Ms Lechane Wotho ordered that Samuel Marambe be sent to Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital in Lobatse for psychiatric assessment.

Magistrate Wotho ordered that the accused’s mental fitness assessment should be done before next mention, which has been set for June 5.

She also ordered that the accused be further remanded in custody and head of Social welfare at the prison should monitor the situation.

Prior to the ruling, Inspector Chinga Pateletso who is prosecuting the matter told the court that their investigations were ongoing.

He told the court that the investigating officer had informed him that he was experiencing some problems in confronting the accused person as the accused was displaying signs of mental illness.

He then made an application for the accused to be sent to Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital to evaluate his mental condition.

Insp. Pateletso said he was informed that at one point the accused was sent to Ghanzi primary hospital but pointed out that Ghanzi primary hospital had no capacity to ascertain his mental status. 

“That is why we are pleading with the court for the accused to be sent to Sbrana Psychiatric Hospital,” he submitted.

Pending the outcomes of the report of his mental status, he pleaded with the court for the accused to be remanded in custody.

He requested that the accused should not be granted bail because he could be a danger to himself and the community.

In response, the accused denied allegations of displaying mental illness, saying they were unfounded.

He added that he went to the hospital ‘to change the bandage’ on his hand or for dressing.

Marambe is accused of killing Shimane Mjumeli who was found lying with fresh wounds in his body, near a cargo truck on May 8. ENDS