01 Mar 2023

Molepolole Chief magistrate Mr Gaseitsiwe Tonoki has denied multiple murder accused Tshepiso Letsididi bail.

Delivering his ruling Tuesday, magistrate Tonoki noted that the accused had three offences of murder, two counts of rape and robbery.

The magistrate said when delivering the verdict, he took into consideration reasons advanced by the both the prosecutor and the accused.

In his bail application the accused had stated that he was just a suspect and was therefore exercising his right to liberty.

On the other hand, magistrate Tonoki noted that the state had vigorously and vehemently opposed the application on the grounds that the accused had a similar charge of murder and rape at Lobatse High Court set for trial in November, a rape charge in Molepolole and the current one of double murder and robbery committed at Magokotswane ward in Molepolole last November.

Consequently Magistrate Tonoki said there was tangible fear that the accused might  get involved in more criminal activities if granted bail.

“Murder comes with a maximum of death penalty, it is indeed a severe punishment which may induce a person to abscond,” magistrate Tonoki said.

In addition, he said murder  was not a simple charge as it was brought about by a serious likelihood that a person might have committed an offence.

The court also learnt that the accused had absconded in his matter which was before Lobatse High Court and an arrest warrant was issued against him hence he was not a candidate for bail.

Letsididi had on February 16 approached the court praying that he be granted bail pending trial as he had been in custody since his arrest four months ago.

On Friday last week when arguing his bail application, Letsididi said it would be unfortunate for him to be rejected as he had received reports that his house had been broken into at Metsimotlhabe and therefore it was important that he be granted bail to go check on it.

Letsididi is accused of the murder and rape of Ms Penekane Mhaladi and her ten-year-old granddaughter at Magokotswane ward in Molepolole last year November. 

He will appear for mention again on March 20. ends