11 May 2022

Two of the six accused persons in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) Headquarters robbery case failed to meet their bail conditions.

The duo, Otsile Semadi and Innocent Bushiri Shaggy on Tuesday appeared before chief magistrate Mr Mareledi Dipate of Village Magistrate Court for the extension of their remand warrant since they failed to meet bail requirements.

The two accused, alongside Maitapiso Kgakgamatso, Lesego Masilo, Mpho Rasetena and Tongai Tsikirayi are accused of robbing SADC offices goods valued more than P582 000 on or about January 29 this year.

All of the accused were on April 26 granted bail, of which each was to pay P5 000 and provide two sureties who would each bind themselves with P10 000.

In addition, the  bail conditions were that they surrender travel documents, report to Borakanelo Police Station every Friday, and attend court sessions when required and not to be involved in any criminal activity.

When their bails conditions were outlined, the accused were informed that if they fail to meet the bail conditions, they should attend court on May 10, while June 16 was set for case status hearing.

Explaining himself before court, Semadi pleaded with the court for variation of bail conditions.

He told the court that he could not raise the said P5 000 and the people who had offered to assist had also failed.

Semadi further told court that his landlord had visited him at prison, to inquire on what to do about his house belongings as he was failing to pay rent.

Upon hearing the request, chief magistrate Dipate said he would set an earlier date for the two to appear before court, when their substantive prosecutor would be available to respond.

The two would appear on May 20 to argue their case while the rest are scheduled to appear on June 16.

Semadi, Kgakgamatso and Rasetena are also charged for another robbery, which they allegedly committed on or about  December 21 last year in Gaborone at Central Business District.  Ends