12 Jul 2022

Lesupatsela Ramoswaana, who was in 2021 sentenced to death for killing his girlfriend, has put his hope on the Court of Appeal.

He asked the Court of Appeal in Gaborone on Monday to overturn Justice Mercy Garekwe’s decision.

Ramoswaana was sentenced to death for killing Lesego Dikole in 2017.

 When appearing before a panel of three judges, Ramoswaana’s attorney, Mr Manenji Anthony, said the court-a-quo erred in condemning his client to death.

He said the High Court overlooked the fact that the crime was committed in the heat of passion since the deceased had another love affair.

 He said it was an open secret that the two lovers had a rocky yet passionate affair.

Mr Anthony said the threat to kill case, which came before a magistrate court, was proof of the nature and character of the relationship as the two continued with their affair even during the case.

 “The love relationship between the deceased and the appellant was characterised by deep love and care,” he said, adding the appellant had been taking care of the deceased’s children since their young age. 

The two’s love affair, he said, was also characterised by infidelity, jealousy and anger by the appellant, while the deceased was brave and fearless.

The deceased’s character, he said, could be adduced from the fact that at one point, the deceased’s other lover drove the appellant and the deceased to a police station.

Furthermore, he said the deceased once told the appellant that he was asking money from him and not the other boyfriend because the appellant was caring for her children.

 However, the state counsel, Mr Ambrose Mubika of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, differed with the appellant attorney, saying the court was correct in sentencing Ramoswaana to death.

 “It was a premeditated murder, we endorse the findings of the High Court as there were no extenuating circumstances,” Mr Mubika said.

He said the appellant lured his victim to his house with a promised to give her P1 500, saying within one hour upon her arrival, he brutally stabbed her.

He said when neighbours knocked to inquire after hearing noise from Ramoswaana’s house, he claimed that everything was normal and the deceased was cooking.

Mr Mubika said even after fatally injuring the deceased, the appellant stayed with her in the house for almost 10 hours to ensure that she died painfully.

“The appellant like a trophy hunter, watched his victim slowly die because he intended her to die, he did nothing to save a life he had put in jeopardy”.

He said the callous manner in which the appellant attempted to cover his tracks by burying the deceased in a shallow grave was highly reprehensive.

He said the appellant lied to the deceased relatives saying all was well and the deceased had found a job, therefore she relocated.

Mr Mubika said Ramoswaana managed to stay calm after his acts, which showed no remorse.

The prosecutor said aggravating factors in the matter far outweighed extenuating factors, hence the trial court was justified in its conclusion.

The case panel consisted of Judge President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Tebogo Tau as well as Justices Isaac Lesetedi and Tshepo Motswagole.

The court will deliver judgement August 5. Ends