13 Mar 2023

Molepolole Principal Magistrate Solomon Setshedi has denied murder accused Mohamed Sadiq TajBhai bail.

The 33-year-old is charged with the murder of a Molepolole taxi driver, Mr Ofitlhile Ofitlhile on January 24.

On Monday, when he appeared in court for his bail hearing TajBhai learnt that he could not be given bail due to the gravity of the offences he was charged for.

When delivering the ruling Magistrate Setshedi stated that the accused was facing serious offences and that he had previous conviction on a different matter in another court. He also said he took into consideration the penalty of the charges laid against him and that he was likely to abscond from court if granted bail.

Based on the facts stated before Court, Magistrate Setshedi concluded that TajBhai was not a candidate for bail as he was likely to commit similar offences.

In a separate matter, TajBhai was recently ordered to pay P2500 or face a prison term of not more than 18 months by Extension 2 Magistrate Court after he was found guilty of unlawful discharge of a fire arm in a manner which was likely to cause injury to others at Extension 10 in Gaborone.

TajBhai is currently facing one count of murder. He is alleged to have shot and killed Mr Ofitlhile and fled the scene on January 24 at Borakalalo ward in Molepolole.

The accused is also alleged to have  robbed the deceased a silver Toyota Corolla valued at P30 000 using violence before killing him. He is reported to have later that same day in the evening burnt the car. TajBhai is also charged with malicious damage to property.

He will appear again for mention on April 18. Ends