21 Aug 2022

 State witness, Mr Wilfred Mpolokeng, a South Africa national, has told Gaborone High Court that he was shocked to learn from his friend, Tumelo Tshukudu, that he must desist from making his regular visits to Botswana.

He was giving evidence in chief on Saturday at the ongoing murder trial before Justice Dr Zein Kebonang.

David Modise and Tshukudu are charged for the October 18, 2015 murder of Fairgrounds Holdings chief executive officer, Mr Michael Montshiwa.

Mr Mpolokeng said his wife had close relatives in Botswana and therefore made regular visits to the country to attend family activities and visit friends, among them Tshukudu and Modise.

He said Tshukudu told him that the message to desist from crossing into Botswana was from Modise.

He said one of his visits to Botswana was on October 17, 2015 where he was to attend a birthday party of one of his wife cousins and to also meet with Modise and Tshukudu to appraise them on his efforts to secure a pistol (gun) as they had requested.

Relating to the court his friendship with the two accused persons, Mpolokeng said his alliance with Tshukudu went back to 2005 when they used to smuggle and sell dagga in Botswana.

Around June/July 2015, Mr Mpolokeng said Tshukudu came to his residence in Mafikeng, South Africa, accompanied by two men.

“I was not surprised to see Tshukudu because he was my friend and would usually visit to collect the stuff (dagga) or deliver my share (money). We set under a tree shade and he introduced his friends,” said Mr Mpolokeng.  

He said the duo were introduced as Bra-D (David Modise) and the other as Mawila, who was said to be a DIS officer. 

Mr Mpolokeng said Tshukudu introduced the duo in their coded language as ma-auti (acquaintances), therefore assuring him that they were not a threat to their dagga business.

Mr Mpolokeng further revealed that though he was engaged in an illicit drug dealing business, he was however shocked by his visitors’ request.

“Tshukudu said Bra-D was looking for a gun, a 9mm pistol and therefore he was to assist in locating someone who could sell it to him,” he said.

Mr Mpolokeng said though he had a shady past of engaging in criminal acts, he was no longer involved in such notorious activities.

“I had disposed of all the guns that I used to own because I never wanted to associate with such lifestyle. However, I was tempted to assist as I was approached by a close ally,” said Mr Mpolokeng.

He said after arranging for a gun with someone in Johannesburg and paying a deposit of R500, his friends returned to Botswana and the arrangement was that their communication must only be done through WhatsApp.

“Bra-D was the one who suggested that our communication must also be done through WhatsApp and I never questioned as to why it was the only preferred mode of communication,” said Mr Mpolokeng.

While awaiting delivery of the gun, Mr Mpolokeng said he continued with his regular visits to Botswana either on family engagements or visiting friends. 

Despite paying a deposit of R500, he said the deal of securing a gun did not materialise and therefore was engaged to look for other alternatives.

The witness also revealed that while looking for someone who could sell them a gun, he learnt from Modise and Tshukudu that they had identified a potential gun they were looking for in Johannesburg.

Mr Mpolokeng said in October 17, 2015, he was in Botswana to attend a party for his cousin’s wife at Mogoditshane (Ledumadumane) and that his visit collided with a trip to Johannesburg by Modise and Tshukudu to collect the gun. 

However, Mr Mpolokeng said the trip to Johannesburg was aborted on the proposed day of departure (October 18, 2015).

“I was not told why the trip failed but Tshukudu later told me that, Modise had bought a gun from one of the local friends based in Molepolole, Seth Seiso who was a traditional doctor”.

Mr Mpolokeng said they drove to Modise’s office at Kgale where the gun was located.

He said prior to going to Kgale they got five bullets from Modise’s contact.

He said since the gun was not functioning well, he was asked to clean it.

“I knew Seiso. He was one of my close friends. I used to visit him in Molepolole and had on some occasions used the same gun to hunt at Seiso’s farm,” he said.

With criminal background, Mr Mpolokeng said he was nervous and suspicious as to why a reputable lawyer would use a gun.

He said Modise told him he bought the gun for his friends who were dealing in rhino poaching and recently got released from prison, therefore needed a gun to continue with poaching activities.

He said later that evening (October 18, 2015), Modise and Tshukudu left him at Millennium Bar in Mogoditshane and only learnt when Tshukudu came back that the duo went out to test the gun.  “Tshukudu told me that the gun was firing well,” said Mr Mpolokeng.

Mr Mpolokeng said after a drinking spree, he left with Tshukudu and slept at one of Tshukudu’s friends in Gaborone West.

He said the following day, Modise came to where they spent the night with the sad news that one of his clients at the law firm had died.

Mr Mpolokeng said after receiving the bad news on the death of Modise’s client there was talk of replacing the bullets that Modise had borrowed a friend and were used in testing the gun.

Modise is represented in the case by Mr Ofentse Khumomotse, while Tshukudu is represented by Mr Enock Mazonde. The prosecution is led by Ms Merapelo Mokgosi and Mr Moagi Ndlovu.  ENDS