05 Feb 2014

Trial for Keabetswe Shadrack (25), Phenyo Tshenyego (26) and Phemo Mosikwa (22) of Sikwa ward in Molepolole commenced on February 5 before Molepolole Principal Magistrate Bhekimpilo Sibanda.

The accused persons are charged with two counts of robbery. Two state witnesses, who are also complainants, were called while three more would be called during the continuation of trial on February 7.

On March 29 last year, the three accused persons at Legwatagwata Bar in Molepolole, acting jointly and in concert, robbed Joseph Mokoka a Nokia Cell phone worth P200 and P800 in cash and that at the material time of the robbery, they used personal violence on him.

Mokoka testified that on the said date, he was entertaining himself with his friend Ranko at Legwatagwata bar. He said he left his friend outside and went into bar and when he came out the accused persons attacked him.

He further also told the court that he had never met the accused persons before and that in the morning before court, the accused persons asked him to drop the matter pleading for reconciliation and that they would also compensate him.

Mokoka further testified that he turned off the request and revealed that during the attack, he sustained injuries on his head when he was hit with a bottle by one of accused.

During cross-examination, Shadrack asked Mokoka whether he was certain about the properties he said were stolen and if he had recovered some of the items.

He then answered that his wallet was stolen with P800 cash in it, identity document, driver’s license and an ATM card, none of which were recovered. Tshenyego then said he never attacked the complainant, but instead, he tried to resolve a fight that was about to evolve between Mokoka, Shadrack and Mosikwa.

“You then grabbed me by the neck and pressed me against a tree also threatening to kill me,” Tshenyego said. Mokoka then disputed Tshenyego’s claims, insisting that he was attacked by the accused persons.

For his part, Mosikwa asked Mokoka to tell the court who amongst them injured him as this is not indicated in the witness’s statement to the police. Mokoka said he cannot tell who, but that he is certain that he sustained the indicated injuries during the attack and also had witnesses to prove his statement.    

Shadrack, Tshenyego and Mosikwa are also charged with robbing Ranko Batsalelwang of P300 on March 29, 2013 at Legwatagwata Bar in Molepolole. 43-year-old Batsalelwang of Mokgalong ward in Molepolole told the court that on the mentioned date, the accused persons attacked him when he tried to run away as they were beating up his friend, Mokoka who was by then lying on the ground.

He further confirmed that Mosikwa chased him with a knife, also pushed him to the ground and stabbed him on his left breast while others followed and took P300 from his pockets.

“After wrestling free, I managed to escape into the bar and asked for help from one, Congo who then went outside to check if Mokoka was fine. I fainted and I woke up at the hospital the following day.

After a week, I met Congo who gave me the names of the perpetrators and showed me their barbershop. I then reported the case,” he added. When Shadrack cross-examined Batsalelwang, he asked him why he indicated in the police statement that he did not know Mokoka.

“I didn’t say I don’t know him, I said we knew each other as we met many times but we didn’t know each other’s names,” Batsalelwang answered. Mosikwa however said that Batsalelwang was making up stories as shown by the medical reports which indicate that the scar on his chest was old.

“I’m still saying the scar on my left breast was incurred during the time you attacked me, I was attended to by a doctor and there are witnesses to also prove you otherwise,” Batsalelwang said. According to the prosecution, Sub Inspector Tshiamo Montshiwa of Molepolole police said all the accused persons are on bail. Ends