16 Jun 2024

Murder accused, Gabalape Matsime has abandoned his initial bail application saying it was overtaken by events.
Matsime aged 32, did so in Gaborone on Thursday, saying his case was already committed to the High Court before Justice Tshepo Motswagole.

He said he had already made a bail application and judgment on the matter was expected on August 2. “I am no longer proceeding with the application before this court,” Matsime said, prompting Justice Barnabas Nyamadzabo to withdraw the matter.

Matsime who hails from Lobatse is charged with the murder of his police officer girlfriend, Onkemetse Motiki, on or about December 30, 2022 at Tsholofelo Location in Gaborone.

His previous attempt for bail was shot down by Magistrate Atlanang Manchwe of Broadhurst Magistrate’s Court last year on grounds that the state had proved that Matsime was not a bail candidate owing to his propensity to commit crime while on bail and failure to honour bail conditions.

She further said the accused was a flight risk because at the time of committing the offence, he was wanted by the police to answer for a charge of grievous bodily harm on the deceased before Lobatse Magistrate’s court.

Matsime who in the bail application is self-represented will appear before Justice Motswagole on August 2 for bail ruling. ENDS