06 Feb 2022

The state has succeeded in getting blood samples from the four accused persons in the P2.3 million G4S cash on transit robbery, prosecutor, Mr Monametsi Koakae from the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said before magistrate Jobbie Moilatshimo at Broadhust Magistrate Court on Wednesday.

“The blood samples were obtained from the accused without any impediment,” said Mr Koakae who was standing in for the substantive prosecutor Mr Farayi Mahwite. He said the blood samples of the accused, Mothusi Matomela, Thapelo Lekobe, Mzwandile Mazibuko and Ntholephi Elliot Ntshalintshali had been sent to the forensic laboratory for analysis.

He told court that he was hopeful that the prosecution would  have sample analysis before the next court appearance, adding that the investigating officer had requested the laboratory to speed up the process. Further, he said the prosecution needed the samples outcome to respond to bail application made by the accused persons.

He added that the prosecution would be able to give the defense team witness statements after the analysis of the blood samples. Mr Koakae told court that the investigating officer wanted to include the samples analysis outcome on his affidavits. The prosecution responded after one of the defense attorney, Mr Olehile Manchwe requested the prosecution to update court if they had succeeded in getting blood samples from accused person.

He said the update was necessary as court had previously made a determination on the matter, allowing the prosecution to forcefully draw samples from the accused persons on non-compliance.

He further asked the prosecution when they would avail the witness statements for the accused persons, adding that the defense team had been asking for witness statements since October last year.

He also wanted the prosecution to respond to bail application made by defense team during the previous court appearance. Accused persons, who were all before court are alleged to have on October 13 2021 at Turn Right Mall, in the Kweneng administrative district, acting together and in consent, armed with pistols and rifles robbed G4S Security company of cash amounting to P2 310 000.

In the process of committing the crime, the accused allegedly stole AK47 rifle and pistol type 54 belonging to Botswana Police Service and assaulted members of G4S Security and Botswana Police with the said fire arms and were also found in procession of 17 live rounds of an AK47 rifle.

They were appearing before magistrate Moilatshimo, who was standing in for substantive magistrate Ms Goabaone Rammapudi-Lesedi. The four would appear again before court for mention on February 15 2022. ENDS