09 Aug 2021

Justice Bugalo Maripe will on August 13 deliver ruling on a bail application by Moabi Molapisi, who is accused of murdering his mother.

Molapisi, who appeared for mention in Maun on Friday, is accused of killing Ms Kehetwe Molapisi on June 28, 2020 at her residence in Matlapana ward in Maun.

The 40-year-old murder accused is also facing three other charges of house break-in, obtaining by false pretenses and unlawful use of a motor vehicle.

Opposing the bail application, the prosecutor, Ms Bezi Serelanyane argued that the accused was facing four charges with one serious offence of murder.

Court heard that Molapisi also had another charge of murder before Extension Two Court in Gaborone. 

In this one, he is accused of murdering his ex-girlfriend in Ramotswa.

Ms Seralanyane also said the accused should be denied bail since he did not have a permanent place of residence and that there were family disputes even before committal of the offences.

“The properties belonging to the deceased are now under the care of the family members which include residence areas at Wenela ward, Thito ward, Matlapana ward, a farm and residential plot at Kopong are all under the applicant’s uncle,” she said.

Ms Seralanyane said the state feared that if given bail, the applicant would interfere with witnesses since some were his uncles and also that the accused’s sister lived in fear of the applicant.

The state, she said, would prove its case against the accused based on the investigating officers’ witness statements, which would prove that the applicant had a motive to commit the crimes so that he could inherit the deceased’s properties.

When arguing his case, Molapisi said the evidence the state had was fabricated.

He further said he did not commit the crime and was also mourning the death of his mother.

Molapisi also refuted allegations that his family had misunderstandings.

Particulars of the offence are that the accused on June 28, last year allegedly chopped his mother to death with an axe before he drove to Ramotswa where he allegedly killed his ex-girlfriend on June 30. ends