14 Jan 2021

A 31-year-old man of Newtown ward in Maun recently appeared before Maun Chief Magistrate Thebeetsile Molalu, facing a count of murder.

Phillip Amos allegedly murdered his ex-girlfriend, Ms Phemelo Lekgowa, on January 10. 

The accused person reporedly called the deceased, informing her of his intention to pass by her place to collect their children and take them to Khwai.  

Upon realising that the deceased was not at her house, Amos went to the residence of the deceased’s current boyfriend. 

That was where the murder incident occurred.

The state prosecutor, Inspector Paul Basupi,  requested that the accused person be remanded in custody since investigations were at an initial stage. 

Mr Basupi said the deceased’s family was still mourning and engaged in funeral arrangements and therefore giving the accused person bail was not of public interest. 

In support of the prosecution’s request for denial of bail, Assistant Superintendent Andrew Koitsile of the Criminal Investigations Department (CID), who was standing in for the investigating officer concurred that the accused person must not be granted bail, for fear that he might interfere with potential prosecution witnesses. 

ASP Koitsile said some witnesses had not yet recorded their statements. 

He also added that the accused person and victim were residing in the same locality. 

They were also both  from the same village of Khwai, therefore the accused person  had to be protected from possible interaction with the bereaved family.

ASP Koitsile further noted that the alleged incident happened at the house of the victim’s current boyfriend, which was also set on fire, thus damaging property. 

Therefore, the deceased’s current boyfriend should also be protected, because releasing the accused person might endanger the boyfriend’s life. 

The state intended to add another charge of arson on the next mention date, he said. 

Amos was remanded in custody and would mention on January 26. Ends