13 Feb 2024

The state has moved to consolidate charges in which Samuel Selolwane has been charged with rape of a minor child with those of his co-accused person, being the mother of the minor child and her friend who were charged separately with corrupting a minor child into prostitution.

All the three accused persons pleaded not guilty to the charges at Broadhurst Magistrate Court in Gaborone on Monday.

The state argued that the reason for consolidating the charges was that they emanated from the same criminal transaction.

This led to the state filing a new charge sheet before magistrate, Ms Goratile Moremi-Ramakoloi, a move which was supported by the defense as only practical and time saving.

Meanwhile Selolwane will be back in court again on February 29, where the state will move to apply for a court order to have him avail himself for blood samples.

This emerged after the prosecution indicated that Selolwane has refused to avail himself for that purpose, something that his lawyer, Dr Obonye Jonas indicated that he was not aware of.

“I will need time to take instruction from my client and understand reasons behind his refusal,” he said.

Meanwhile investigation are complete in a matter in which Gomolemo Mmotlanyana, accused of the murder of his wife, Kebabope Mmotlanyana at a gender-based violence support centre they had visited for counselling, May last year.

Prosecutor, Sergeant Mmoloki Solofera said that they were currently preparing the docket to hand over the case to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions for committal of the matter to the High Court.

Mmotlanyana will appear on February 26 for a status hearing on the committal of his case. Ends