01 Aug 2023

A bail hearing in a matter in which Botswana Defence Force (BDF)’s Captain Mogomotsi Sepopa is accused of murdering two women has been set for Monday due to the absence of the substantive prosecutor.

Making the ruling on Tuesday during the accused person’s second appearance before the court, Extension II chief magistrate, Ms Kamogelo Mmesi said the postponement was necessitated  by the absence of the substantive prosecutor, who was reportedly abroad on other businesses.

“Since the stand-in prosecutor [Ms Botho Gobuamang] indicated that the substantive would land in the country this Friday, let’s set Monday for bail hearing so that the prosecution could have a chance to put the investigating officer on the stand to advance reasons for opposing bail,” she said.

Ms Mmesi made the ruling after the stand-in prosecutor indicated that the state would oppose any attempts by the defence to seek bail.

“Investigations in this matter are still at infancy stage. 

It should be noted that this is a double murder case, therefore investigations will take a little bit longer,” she said.

She also said in any case, if the defence entertained any application for bail, they should do so in writing so that the prosecution could be able to respond accordingly. 

However, the defence lawyer, Mr Ofentse Khumomotse said the argument that they should put their application in writing was just a misconception of the law, and that there was no need for such.

“We had also thought that the prosecution would today put the investigating officer on the stand so that they could advance their reasons for opposing our bail application, but they chose not to do that,” he said.

Chief Magistrate Mmesi then postponed the matter to August 7. 

Sepopa is accused of the murder of his wife Bogolo and Same Moapare on May 17 at BDF Village Camp in Gaborone. ends