28 Jan 2021

 Chief Magistrate Alice Rammapodi-Lesedi has denied murder accused Oabile Sekwati, bail for fear of jeopardising the state’s case. 

Sekwati,31, is accused of killing Kweneng District Council employee Mpho Stephen in Molepolole on October 21 last year. 

Magistrate Rammapodi-Lesedi extended the accused’s remand warrant arguing that he was a flight risk and he may ‘eliminate’ the surviving victim. 

She said the investigating officer, detective assistant superintendent Albert Mfanyana had advised against granting the accused bail, highlighting that keeping the accused in custody was the best option considering the fact that his main target was the surviving victim who had narrowly escaped. 

It was said that Sekwati had, during that fateful day, confronted the male victim complaining about his relationship with the deceased and he later targeted his car that was driven by the deceased.  Sekwati allegedly chased and shot Stephen who was with a male companion who managed to escape after their vehicle hit a boundary wall at the Lekgwapheng Police Post.

Among issues in considering the accused’s bail application, was the severity of the offence committed, prejudice that the state was likely to suffer in case bail was granted. 

She added that the offence committed was serious and carried capital punishment hence the accused might abscond in fear. 

“To protect the surviving victim who is a key witness in this matter, I find it appropriate to remand the accused considering that he was still angry with the fact that the victim escaped the shooting and therefore releasing him was likely to jeopardise the state’s case,” she said.

Sekwati, who  was represented by attorney Bosa Mokweetsi, is expected back in court for Case Management Conference on February 25. 

Meanwhile, Magistrate Rammapodi- Lesedi complained that prosecutors from the Department of Public Prosecution constantly failed to attend court proceedings. 

She raised such concern after the murder case involving Kabo Motlhabane could not be committed to the High Court due to the absence of prosecutors. 

“I have a problem with the fact that Motlhabane’s case is an old case that could have long been committed, but has since been dragging due to lack of seriousness of the substantive prosecutor,” she said. 

She therefore ordered for the prosecutor to make appearance in the next sitting to be able to map a way forward on the matter.

Motlhabane 35, is facing a single count of murder and of threat to kill, the offences he committed in February last year. 

It was alleged that the accused murdered his former girlfriend Boipelo Mpolokang who was an Ipelegeng employee by stabbing her with a sharp instrument in full view of co-workers at Borakalalo kgotla offices. ends