10 Oct 2024

The Principal Magistrate at Village Magistrate’s Court, Mr Daniel Nkau on Wednesday spoke against torturing of inmates by prison officials.

One of the accused persons i9n a robbery case, Lesego Masilo alleged that he had been tortured in prison on allegation that he was harbouring a cellphone, something that Magistrate Nkau expressed his abhorrence of.

Masilo, who is the second accused person in the case, had told the court that he was no longer feeling safe at prison due to the torture meted on him the previous day, adding that he was in body pains.

“Tell the prison officers that everyone can be an accused person,” said Magistrate Nkau and warned that should tables turn, the same prison officers could find themselves as accused persons and they would not want to be tortured.

“No accused person should be assaulted,” he said and further ordered that the accused person be taken to the hospital forthwith.

Meanwhile, the first accused, Maitapiso Kgakgamatso pleaded with the court to restore his bail, promising that he would never skip his court appearance again.

“My worship, I have learned my lesson, you have rebuked me for my actions and I was wrong,” said Kgakgamatso.

He said should the court restore his bail, he would not commit the same mistake of skipping his court appearances as he did last year in November and September, which led to his bail being revoked.

Meanwhile, Mr Sesupo Masaka of Masaka Law Firm who represent Mpho Rasetena said they have filed an application before the court for his client’s bail to be restored and it was not opposed by the state, adding there were sick off motes which clarified why he had skipped court appearances.

Kgakgamatso, Masilo, and Mpho Rasetena as well as Otsile Semadi, Tongai Tsikirayi and Innocent Bushiri Shaggy are alleged to have broken into SADC Headquarters and stole laptops and cameras valued at about P582 000 on or about 29 January 2020.

The other suspects Tsikirayi and Shaggy are currently on warrant of arrest while Semadi is on bail.

The case is scheduled for a status hearing on 24 October. ENDS