13 Sep 2024

The investigating officer in the P365 000 armed robbery incident at Matlapana ward has pleaded with Maun Magistrate Court to allow more time for further investigations.

Detective Assistant Commissioner, Sergeant Marapo who was opposing bail application of the three accused persons who appeared before the court on Wednesday, argued that the matter was fresh hence his team needed more time to conduct thorough investigations.

He said that a search of two more suspects, stolen cash and property was still on.

The accused, together with two others still at large, are alleged to have acted together with common purpose and violently robbed a couple some money and property amounting to P365 000 at their residence in Matlapana Ward on September 1.

 “This is a serious matter and should the court accede to granting the accused bail, they may interfere with our investigations and compromise the case. The matter is also still at an initial stage because we have not recovered the stolen money and property and also other two suspects are still on the run,” he said, adding that they hoped that given time, the police would arrest other suspects and recover the stolen money and items.

Presenting the statement of offence, Detective Assistant Commissioner Marapo revealed that the suspects who resided in Gaborone and acting with two others attacked and robbed a couple at their residence in Matlapana at night armed with crow bars, knives and wearing balaclavas.

It is suspected that the accused fed the victims’ dogs meat laced with poison.

He said suspects demanded the wife’s cell phone and stole cash amounting to P29 000 via pay to cell, another cash amounting to P20 000 in a safe and also demanded the bank card and pin and two of the men took the husband’s vehicle to withdraw P4 500 from an ATM at Sedie ward and drove back.

The investigating officer further stated that the suspects also went away with a diamond ring worth P175 000, two iphones worth P25 000 as well as two gold rings worth P30 000.

On the second account, Detective Assistant Commissioner Marapo said the suspects brutally assaulted the husband and stole property amounting to P52 000 comprising an Iphone worth P20 000, Lenovo laptop worth P12 000 and Mac Book worth P20 000.

The three suspects who pleaded not guilty to the charges asked the court to grant them bail but the magistrate ordered that they be remanded in custody and appear on September 17. ENDS