21 Aug 2025

Principal Magistrate Thapelo Buang of Francistown Magistrate’s Court has remanded in custody a murder accused mother and daughter, Ruth and Onalenna Fana pending a ruling on their bail application.

The two appeared before court for bail application on Tuesday. Magistrate Buang, who extended their remand to September 25 when they will make their next appearance, also ordered that the brother to the first accused appear before court in the next mention for the court to further enquire from him.

The two accused persons applied for bail, with the second accused, Onalenna advancing the possible lack of accommodation for her children as one of her reasons. She said her children had been accommodated by one teacher and that she was worried that when the school term ended they would no longer have a place to stay. Further, she said the other child was unwell and therefore needed her care.

Ruth, a teacher at Mpiti Primary School who is the daughter to the deceased, and Onalenna who is the granddaughter to the deceased, are accused of killing their mother and grandmother, Elicah Fana who was found dead on June 9. The two were arrested on June 24 following a police breakthrough. ENDS