03 Feb 2021

A quintet of young men was on Tuesday February 2 arraigned before Jwaneng magistrate’s court on charges of robbery at Sekoma. 

Jwaneng magistrate, Ms Caroline Kataba acceded to the prosecution’s pleas, led by Inspector Tlhaloganyo Selolwane; to have the five remanded in custody, pending investigations as the matter was still fresh and the items they were alleged to have stolen were yet to be recovered.

Detective Sub Inspector Boitshwarelo Mokgweetsi indicated that they were still on the hunt for the missing loot, as well as the vehicle used in the commission of the alleged crime.

“The accused persons were only arrested on January 31, so our investigations are still at an infancy stage. The complainant is also still under medical care at Gaborone, so we plead that the accused persons be remanded in the meanwhile,” he said.

Each of the five accused’s attempt to seek an early bail was hinged on the claim that they did not know anything about the alleged crime.

One of them, Thato Dibeela indicated that he did not even know the place of the alleged crime, saying that he had only seen the village when on transit to other places.

In denying them, their freedom, Ms Kataba said the investigating team should be given time to complete their investigations, upon which the accused persons would either be released or tried; depending on the findings.

“For now you will be remanded in custody to give the investigators a chance to complete their job. If investigations exonerate you then you will be released, but if they tie you to the said crime, then the matter will go for trial,” she explained.

The five accused person being Lame Moreki, 29, Bokamoso Keoagile, 26, Clen Mmereki, 21, all from Kanye; as well as Dibeela of Molepolole, 28 and Werda native, Bonnie Mekwe 22 are accused of robbery.

It is alleged that the quintet on or about December 15, 2020 robbed businessman, Yakub Limbaba of Papparazi Holdings at his business in Sekoma, in the process making away with cash amounting to P1 200, three cellphones worth a total of P8 500, an orange money card with cash amounting to P1 400, two bags containing clothes worth P3 000 as well as an assortment of other items.

According to the prosecution, the total value of goods, allegedly stolen amounted to about P12 900. The five accused are also said to have used violence on their victim, assaulting him with fists all over the body.

They are also linked to a string of other serious criminal activities in various villages in the southern part of the country. 

They will appear for mention on March 1, after undergoing two weeks of quarantine as per COVID-19 protocols. ENDS