11 Jun 2024

Police have upgraded to murder an offence in which one Onthaletse Selaelo was charged with causing grievous bodily harm to  Uyapo Gwara.

Selaelo was initially charged with causing grievous bodily harm to his victim after he allegedly assaulted him at Extension 27 in Gaborone on May 26 this year.

However, the Broadhurst Magistrate Court was informed that the victim succumbed to his injuries two days later, causing a need to amend the charge sheet to murder, and the prosecution was also successful in their plea to have the accused remanded in custody.

The development however, did not go well with the accused, as he said the arrangement to remand him was supposed to be just temporary while the victim’s condition was still being observed.

“I am now surprised that the prosecution wants to continue keeping me in custody. I am surprised to only learn now that I have been charged with murder although they never updated me on any developments concerning the victim. 

I am also shocked because the names of the person I am accused of having murdered are new to me as I knew him as Zosky,” he said.

However, magistrate Flora Moremi-Ramakoloi said it was only reasonable that he was still in custody as the incident happened just recently. She also indicated that the fact that the accused knew the victim just by his moniker did not change any circumstance in the matter.

“During trial at the High Court you will be presented with all the official documents that show the victim’s official names as well as the death certificate. So you will be given a chance to challenge any of those if you want to,” she said.

Selaelo then made an attempt at bail, but was told that he will have to wait until June 25 when the prosecution is expected to call the investigating officer to argue its bail position. Plea in the matter was reserved. Ends