04 Dec 2024

Senior Magistrate Ms Wame Mosugelo of Kasane Magistrate Court has denied bail to Kasane Deputy Station Commander who is accused of defiling a minor.

Delivering the ruling today, Ms Mosugelo denied bail to Assistant Superintendent Othusitse Marape, who is facing a single charge of defiling a 15-year-old school girl.

Magistrate Mosugelo highlighted the gravity of the allegations and the potential risks associated with granting bail as the accused was a police officer of high rank hence could influence the criminal justice system or influence the witnesses.

She indicated that the case had drawn attention not just in Kasane but the rest of the country due to accusations against a law enforcement officer.

She stressed that defilement was a severe offence, because it involved a minor, of which the implications of the crime were traumatic for the victim. The magistrate noted that that matter was still in its early stages having been reported to the police on November 22, hence investigations were ongoing.

She pointed out that the court’s decision underscored a broader commitment to ensuring justice for vulnerable individuals. According to the evidence presented before court by the investigating officer, the 61 years top cop defiled the victim in May this year near Chobe Junior Secondary school in Kasane.

The investigations revealed that the victim and her mother approached police after the crime was reported raising concerns that they feared for their lives since the accused was a police officer of high rank with connections. The defendant legal counsel led by Attorney Charles Tlagae had argued for his release, citing the lack of prior offences and substantial evidence against him.

Mr Tlagae stated that on November 27, the accused was served with a suspension letter from Botswana Police Service which rendered the him powerless as he was confined to his house hence could not interfere with justice system.

He said the accused posed no threat to the victim nor community, which qualified him to await trial outside.

Furthermore, the attorney argued that no officer of the law would risk their career and reputation to help the accused tampering with evidence and justice system if released on bail. However, the court dismissed those arguments and the accused was ordered to remain in custody awaiting next mention date scheduled for the January, 16 2025. Ends