29 Apr 2025

After previous attempts to send the matter to the High Court failed, the infamous Kopong murder acussed were yesterday committed to the High Court to stand trial.

The quartet, Oageng Moagi Letsholo, Leufty Gaolemogwe Kosie, Outlwile Aston and Kebaleboge Ntsebe are charged for murdering Barulaganye Aston in 2022. Letsholo, who is a serving inmate for a separate offence, has an additional charge of raping the deceased, who was a teacher at Kopong Junior Secondary School and wife to the third accused person, Aston.

Before the committal, The Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) prosecutor, Ms Seeletso Ookeditse said the first accused, Letsholo indicated outside the court after the previous mention that he had a scheduled matter before Lobatse High Court on the same day as the committal.

“He did not disclose the matter to court, and he has already been served with the committal documents and has confirmed receiving them,” she said, adding that his absence could therefore not hinder the matter from being committed to the High Court.

“May the matter be committed to the High Court my worship,” Ms Ookeditse pleaded with the presiding Magistrate, Ms Jobbie Moilatshimo, who upon committing the matter to the High Court revoked bail for Kotsie, Aston and Ntsebe.

Furthermore, Magistrate Moilatshimo said the case would, from now onwards be mentioned at the High Court, where the accused person would stand trial.

Attempts to commit the matter to the High Court could not proceed during the previous mention as the defence team requested time to study the committal documents, due to the fact that they anticipated that bail for the accused persons would be revoked and they would have to apply for new bail at the High Court.

When applying for committal during the previous mention, Ms Ookeditse said the state intended to call a total of 27 witnesses and would as well provide various exhibits to support their cases against the four accused persons. ENDS