28 Jun 2023

Murder accused, Gomolemo Mmotlanyana, remains in custody after Gaborone Broadhurst Magistrate Court denied him bail on Tuesday.

Mmotlanyana, charged for the murder of his wife, Kebabope at a gender based violence support centre in May, will appear again before the magistrate for mention on July 24.

Delivering the bail application ruling Tuesday, Magistrate Goratile Moremi-Ramakoloi said the investigating officer had submitted that she was yet to collect witnesses’ statements and was worried that the accused may intimidate them.

“I do not harbour any doubt in my mind that the potential state witnesses being the children and eye witnesses could be and are fearful, thus the statements of the eye witnesses may be endangered by the release of the accused,” said Ms Moremi-Ramokoloi.

She also indicated that the investigating officer had alluded to the fact that they were not done with investigations and that the two children were still undergoing counselling and therefore releasing Mmotlanyana on bail would jeopardise their therapeutic process.

“Investigations on murder cases are not easy as they require intensive investigation, which cannot be done in haste, and if hasted could amount to a great miscarriage of the whole case,” she said.

She further said the children still needed time and space to grieve and accept their loss, adding that the applicant had also failed to bring forth exceptional reasons for his bail application.

“It is against this background that the applicant is found not suitable for release on bail at the current moment and the primary aim at this moment is to avoid any situation that could cripple the state investigations, hence compromise the deliverance of justice. Denying the accused bail is not intended to punish him and subsequently the applicant is to remain in custody,” said Magistrate Moremi-Ramakoloi. Ends