29 Dec 2023

Three men have appeared before Ghanzi Senior Magistrate, Mpho Molema for a single charge of assault and causing bodily harm.

Killer Gojewang (34) of Morama Ward, Jakoba Legogo (40) of Kabakae Ward and Keikantse Bikitshane (33) of Khurakhura Ward are reported to have unlawfully assaulted Mr Thatayaone Sedisa on Boxing Day at Morama Ward, by hitting him with a gum pole, causing him to sustain injuries all over his body.

Appearing for the state, public prosecutor, Sub Inspector Shathiso Ngebani pleaded with the court to remand the trio because the matter was still fresh and the victim was still admitted in Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Princess Marina Hospital after suffering severe head injuries.

He regretted that the investigating officer was not in attendance to back his plea for the trio to be remanded.

In their submissions, Gojewang told the court that he did not take part in assaulting the victim.

He said that he saw the complainant approaching them while playing mhele, holding a big knife and a chain, forcefully stepped on their mhele.

Gojewang said the second accused person (Legogo) tried to stop him, but he did not back off and continued to harass them.

He said that he swiftly moved from the scene as he foresaw that the complainant would not budge.

Legogo stated that he indeed tried to stop the victim, but he overpowered him by hitting him with a stone on the head that left him bleeding.

He said other people in the compound advanced attacks on the complainant, to try and stop him from injuring elders and children who were in the compound.

The third accused, Bikitshane said that he too tried to stop the uncontrollable complainant who unfortunately trounced him on the head with a chain that caused bleeding.

“While I was still trying to nurse my injury, other people in the compound who were already angered by the complainant’s unruly behaviour battered him,” he said.

Meanwhile, Magistrate Molema ruled that the trio be remanded in custody until the return of the investigating officer and ordered them to appear for the next mention on January 12. Ends