14 Nov 2019

Four men suspected to be part of a syndicate terrorising villagers in and around the Kweneng district have been arraigned before Molepolole Magistrate Ike Raphael on a number of charges including Bar break-in and stealing from dwelling houses.

The quartet is Mmoloki Motsiane 24, Lawrence Mogome 23, Kebaabetswe Maragwane 27 and David Lerotsi aged 42, of Molepolole and Lephepe. 

The fact of the matter is that the four accused persons between October 21 and 23 at Bokaa ward in Molepolole village, jointly with a common purpose broke into a house belonging to Onalenna Mogome where they allegedly stole goods valued at P10 220.

The alleged stolen items include electrical appliances, such as flat-screen television, Fan iron, kettle a gas cylinder TV stand and some household including a bed and bedding.

In another case, Maragwane jointly with David Lerotsi are alleged to have on October 20 at Moshaweng village broke into Shawars Bar stealing items such as JVC Television, a generator, Multichoice DSTV and some beverages, all totalling P12 504 belonging to Keagile Mokodinyane.

In the third case, Maragwane is also faced with a single count of bar break-in. It is alleged that on November 4 at Shadishadi village in the Kweneng district administrative, he broke into Bula bar and stole items such as a deep freezer and assorted beverages amounting to P11 028 belonging to Poifo Tau. 

In applying for bail, the four accused pleaded with the court to consider granting them bail stating that there was no need to prolong their detention when items suspected to have been stolen had since been confiscated by the police.  

It was on that basis that the investigating officer was to be availed in the next mention scheduled for November 28.

The 27-year-old Maragwane appears to be a mastermind in commissioning of the alleged offences as he was implicated in the three different cases brought before Magistrate Ike Raphael and principal magistrate Kefilwe Resheng over offences committed in various places.

The four accused persons, according to Kweneng district No 11 Senior Superintendent Modise Gabatshwane together with two suspects still at large were suspects in a spate of break-ins that took place in various places around Kweneng, Kgatleng and the central district. 

Meanwhile, the accused persons could not succeed in their attempt to be granted bail, following argument advanced by the prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Uyapo Koketso to the effect that they were a flight risk since they were implicated in series of break-ins with most of the cases still under investigations.  

In a related case, Mosimanegape Botlhale aged 22 of Lesetlheng in Molepolole appeared before Principal Magistrate Kefilwe Resheng on a single count of house break-in and theft where he allegedly stole Goods valued P52 000 belonging to James Bown of the same ward. 

Trial dates in the matter were scheduled for March 2 and 3 while the accused is expected to appear for mention on January 27. 

It was then that the prosecutor Sub Inspector Madirelo Batshidi was ordered to summon the investigating officer to make an appearance  on November 14 to address the issue of bail advanced by the accused.

Botlhale pleaded with the court to grant him bail saying he had learnt it the hard way while under detention stating that conditions in prisons were too harsh. 

“I promise to abide by bail conditions as per the court order if granted bail,” he pleads. Ends