23 Jan 2014

The state has made progress in investigating a case in which four men allegedly murdered a cab driver. It would soon furnish the defence with important documents pertaining to the case.

Prosecutor, Mr Mmapatsi Tshimologo of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) on January 20 told the Village Magistrate Court that the state had made considerable progress in the matter and promised to furnish both the accused and the court with some documents that had been pending.

The four accused had been yearning for the said documents, which included a forensic laboratory report and documents from cellular network provider Mascom, saying they will absolve them from the crime.

Mr Tshimologo apologised for taking too long to deliver the documents, but promised to bring them as soon as possible as they had finally been delivered to Gaborone West police station.

He, however, said he had not yet received the documents from the investigating officer, Detective Sub-inspector Mmilili Mashabile, because he was on leave.

“But he is due to resume duty on Thursday (January 23) and I will get the documents, study them and hand them over to the court,” said Mr Tshimologo.

After failing to attend the last three court mentions due to other engagements, Mr Tshimologo had to deal with accusations from the defence that he was contemplating abandoning the case.

The four are Matshidiso Boikanyo from Tlokweng, Tshwanelo Tshimologo from White City, Onthusitse Kgosiethata from Extension 14 and Moabi Seabelo Mabiletsa from Bontleng in Gaborone. Particulars of the offense indicated that  on September 13, 2013 at Block 9 location in Gaborone, they murdered Mr Vincent Mopipi, a cab driver, contrary to Section 202 of the penal code of the laws of Botswana.

Three of the accused were out on bail while the fourth accused, Boikanyo insisted that he should be granted bail because there had been a change of circumstances which previously prevented him from obtaining one.

The court had deemed him a flight risk after going through his cell phone communication with some people immediately after the alleged murder. In a previous court appearance, Boikanyo neither challenged nor denied startling revelations by Detective Mashabile that he had intended to flee Botswana to South Africa soon after the murder.

It was also not in dispute that Boikanyo’s cell phone was used to call the deceased during the night of the murder. Senior Magistrate Alice Rammapudi set next mention for January 31.  ENDS