05 Oct 2020

Extension II Chief Magistrate, Queen Moanga  further remanded murder accused Thato Mantswe, who is suspected of murdering his partner and former fiancée Thelma Oageng. 

The deceased was a Ntlo ya Dikgosi administration officer, whose body was discovered on the outskirts of Mochudi last month.

 Appearing for a status update on October 5, Mantswe, who did not have legal representation, chose not to respond to the plea to deny bail presented before court by police officer, Sub Inspector Batambili Gakemoitse, who represented the prosecution.

During a short submission, Sub Inspector Gakemoitse told the court that investigations were still fresh and ongoing and more time was needed for them to be pursued without the interference of the accused person, Mantswe who was arrested last month and first appeared for mention on September 21.

Sub Inspector Gakemoitse further told the court that cases that involved gender based violence had been prevalent of late in the country and were of such a serious nature that the President, Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi as recent as Friday, September 18, addressed the nation on national television on the severity and increasing prevalence of the crime.

Based on the serious nature of the crime and the need to conduct further investigations without undue influence of the accused, Sub Inspector Gakemoitse urged the court to further remand Mantswe in custody, to which the court acceded with Mantswe having declined the offer to make a counter plea.

The accused will remain incarcerated and is due to appear before court after two weeks, on Monday, October 19. ends