16 Jun 2024

Death row inmate Gobuamang Ntsuape is a repentant man who has expressed deep remorse for his actions.

A psychologist with Botswana Prison Services based at Gaborone Prison, Ms Tsholofelo Zion said when giving evidence in chief before Justice Barnabas Nyamadzabo of Gaborone High Court on Thursday, where Ntsuape was mitigating for a lower punishment following murder conviction last year.

The Ramotswa native stood convicted of two murder charges from the 2016 incident where he wrestled for a steering wheel of a motor vehicle they were being transported by, by the prison officials.

The incident resulted in the vehicle overturning and killing a special constable, Thuso Ntusa and rape accused inmate Emmanuel Mapholo.

“He is repentant and remorseful, even from his statements he will utter that he regret what he did and feels sorry for his actions,” Ms Zion said about Ntsuape.

Ms Zion further said Ntsuape had shown commendable progress in managing anger and overall wellbeing, adding that he was now able to respond calmly to situations.

She said with ongoing support, Ntsuape was likely to uphold better emotion management, adding that such could entail making a once off visit to a psychologist for a checkup and reading books and other materials on emotional intelligence.

Ms Zion further said the need for a once off visit to a psychologist was not only needful for Ntsuape, as it was important for every person to once visit a physiologist to check their wellbeing.
In addition, she said other professionals who attended Ntsuape being the prison chaplain and social worker have also noted the inmate’s progress.

Also, Ms Zion said Ntsuape had indicated that he wanted to meet the people he wronged to offer his apologies, adding that there was a letter she had seen, which Ntsuape intended give to one of those he offended. She also said there was a book that Ntsuape indicated that he wanted to send to one of those he offended after he read it, saying the book would also be helpful for them too.

Ms Zion said before the commencement of the therapy sessions, Ntsuape was struggling with issues of anger management which resulted in strained relationships.

She further said therapy identified that the convict struggled with frequent anger outburst and difficulty in managing anger.

However, the therapy assisted him to better cope with anger, better manage relationships, enhanced emotional intelligence and to respond calmly to situations.

Ntsuape committed the murder of Ntusa and Mapholo when he and other inmates were transported from court and was remanded for the murder of his girlfriend’s mother.

A matter that Justice Lot Moroka of Francistown High Court sentenced him to death by hanging after establishing that he killed Sadi Kgosietsile following a break up with his ex-girlfriend Dorcus at Block 9 Francistown, by intentionally setting up the family house on fire.

On the fateful day, Ntsuape was said to have bought petrol and set on fire the two vehicles belonging to the family.

Apart from two murder convictions, Ntsuape’s criminal record included conviction of arson, malicious damage to property and attempted murder.

He will appear again in court on August 15 for ruling on his extenuating circumstances and sentencing. ENDS