27 Jul 2020

Murder accused, Raven Mogapaesi, has pleaded with Broadhurst chief magistrate Linah Mokibe-Oahile to direct the prosecution to furnish him with the case record.

Mogapaesi said during the last mention, the prosecution team informed the court that investigations were complete and he therefore was wondering why they were not providing him with witness the statement.

He said the case record would  assist him in preparing his defence, adding that it was important for him to get hold of the case documents well in time to be able to get assistance from professionals on how to defend himself since he said he was framed.

“It is frustrating enough that this case is stagnant. It would be of great assistance to know the weight of the evidence against me and prepare well,” he said.

Mogapaesi and three other accused persons; Joseph Boheto, Lethata Lesole and Goldman Nkunga, are said to have on July 11, 2019 at or near Mogoditshane in the Kweneng District, allegedly stabbed one Wilson Chiundo and robbed other passengers of their valuables at knife point in a minibus.

The victim sustained grievous wounds from the suspected okapi knife stab injuries and was later on that day certified dead by a health official.

Public prosecutor, Ms Juliet Tshokonego told court that police investigations were complete and the case had been handed to the Directorate of Public Prosecution, where it would be assigned a prosecutor. 

Because the case involves murder and robbery, Ms Tshokonego said the substantive prosecutor must be given time to familiarise themselves with the matter.

She further assured court that the investigating team had previously informed the court that the case record was ready, which included, among others, post mortem and forensic results as well as witness statements.  

Ms Mokibe-Oahile has set August 31 for status update. 

She also ordered that the second and fourth accused persons’ remand warrant be extended until the next mention date.

She further said the accused persons would only get hold of the requested evidence documents when their case was committed for trial, therefore they would have to wait for the trial dates to be set. ENDS