Letsididi Declines to Raise Hands for Identification
29 Oct 2025
Rape convict and double murder accused, Tshepiso Letsididi, on Tuesday declined to show the court his missing finger after being identified by a state witness as the man seen driving the deceased’s vehicle in Gakuto a day after the alleged murder.
Letsididi (37) refused to display his hand in court after the prosecutor, Ms Seeletso Ookeditse of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP), applied before Justice Oteng Motlhala of the Gaborone High Court that the accused show his hands for identification purposes.
“The issue is not examination, but identification,” Ms Ookeditse submitted, requesting the court to direct the accused to raise his hand so that the state witness, Ms Janet Basole, could confirm the missing finger she mentioned in her earlier testimony.
However, Letsididi’s attorney, Mr Michael Itumeleng, objected the application, arguing that compelling the accused to show his hands would amount to a violation of his client’s rights.
He said such an act would constitute an intrusive exercise that should only be carried out by a qualified medical officer, health practitioner, or crime scene investigator.
Ms Ookeditse countered that the request was purely for identification and not examination, and that the defence had not demonstrated how it would prejudice the accused.
Justice Motlhala ruled that it was up to the accused to consent or refuse, and Letsididi opted not to raise his hands.
Earlier, witness Ms Basole had testified that on November 12, 2022, she met a man driving a silver-grey Toyota Camry who claimed to have hit a road sign on his way to Gakuto.
She said the man later invited her to accompany him, and they proceeded to Dacrozing Tavern. She further told the court that while she did not know the man’s name, she observed that he had a missing finger and a tattoo on his face.
Letsididi faces charges of murdering Penekane Mhaladi and her grandchild, Laofa Mamorebo, on November 11, 2022, at Magokotswane in Molepolole. He is also accused of stealing items valued at approximately P5,000, including a Toyota Camry, and of raping the minor child.
During Tuesday’s proceedings, the accused, through his attorney, admitted to the forensic evidence report of the deceased.
The trial continues on Thursday. ENDS
Source : BOPA
Author : Bonang Masolotate
Location : Gaborone
Event : Court case
Date : 29 Oct 2025
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