26 Feb 2020

 A 26-year-old man of Boseja ward in Maun Motshidisi Mareka who appeared for mention before Maun Chief Magistrate Thebeetsile Molalu was granted bail on Monday.

Mareka together with an accomplice who is still on the run, is accused of stealing  the sum of about P16 952 from one Chalegwa Ramotopi on December 24, 2019.

The accused persons are said to have used violence armed with a machete and a slasher to obtain the money from the complainant.

According to the prosecution summary, the accused persons  broke the door and entered  the house at around 2:35am on December 24 at Boseja Ward in Maun.

Ramatopi, who was sleeping with his girlfriend, was awoken by the disturbing sounds and went to the door, where he pushed the door in an attempt to stop the assailants from entering his house.

The two accused persons however overpowered him and managed to enter the house, with one of them armed with a slasher and another with a machete.

One of the accused persons snatched  Ramatopi’s wallet,  which had P10 000 and then took the girlfriend’s bag pack with P6 952.

Meanwhile, the state prosecutor, Mr Paul Basupi of Botswana Police said the prosecution had reached a consensus that the accused be given a conditional bail.

Mareka was then granted bail under the condition that he bound himself with P1 500 and provided two sureties who would also bind themselves with P1 500 each.

The accused is also expected to remain staying at the residential address he had given to the police or to notify the police in case of change of address.

Mareka was also told to ensure he did not get involved in any activities of violence and that he should adhere to court mentions. ENDs