22 Aug 2025

Francistown Magistrates Court has remanded serial rape accused Kobamelo Thomas in custody for five counts of rape and two counts of robbery.

Thomas appeared before Principal Magistrate Ditebogo Nthuli yesterday. According to the state prosecutor, Ms Mompoloki Mabalani, Thomas allegedly committed the crimes in a short span of time, with the first count occurring last month.

In the first count, Thomas is accused of raping a minor, while in the remaining four counts, he is alleged to have raped four women over three days.

Ms Mabalani told court that the offences committed by Thomas were serious and that investigations into the matter were still at an early stage. She therefore said that remanding Thomas in custody would allow investigators to carry out their investigations without interference from the suspect.

She also requested court to order Thomas to submit his fingerprints to the police to check whether he had previous convictions. Additionally, the prosecutor prayed to court to order Thomas to submit his blood samples or have his blood extracted for forensic examination, as the counts charged require.

Ms Mabalani further said the state had not yet recorded statements from the victims, which would require time. Ms Mabalani also informed court that the five victims of rape would be called to give their personal testimony.

In one count of robbery, Thomas is alleged to have used violence to steal a Huawei cellphone valued at P1,800 from Tendai Takoti on August 19. In another robbery case, Thomas is accused of using a knife to steal a cellphone worth P2,000 on August 9.

After hearing the prosecutor's submissions, Principal Magistrate Nthuli, remanded Thomas in custody until September 11, when the state will update the court on the progress of the investigations. ENDS