17 Feb 2014

Two men, Mothusi Popego (33) and Mothibedi Motoloki (36) of Molepolole charged with robbing Engen Filling station goods worth P1 877 and P866 in cash have given their sworn evidence before Principal Magistrate Bhekimpilo Sibanda.

The same accused persons with three others are having a another case of robbing Horizon Deep Club in Mmakgodi, P20 000, a music mixture valued at P3 000 and airtime vouchers worth close to P3 000 in September 2012.

According to the prosecution, on October 3, 2012, the accused persons and two others still on the run robbed Engen Filling Station at Magokotswane ward in Molepolole P866, 40 packets of different types of cigarettes worth P1 102 and a black Samsung Duo cell phone worth P775.

The accused persons acted together and at the time of stealing used violence on the employees by threatening them with stones. In his sworn evidence, Popego said on October 2, 2012, he called his co accused asking him to help in a piece job and Motoloki asked him to come to his place where they entertained themselves in the company of Motoloki’s sister, Malebogo Motoloki.

Popego said at 2100hrs Motoloki left them to sleep and the two continued with the entertainment and that after a while two men arrived.

He also told the court that Malebogo introduced Dikabelo as her cousin and Dikabelo told them Mike was a friend.  “Motoloki woke up at 11pm while Malebogo went to sleep. I then left for more entertainment informing Motoloki that I’ll come in the morning so that we go for the piece job,” Popego testified.

Popego further testified that, at 5 a.m he went back to Motoloki’s place and met Dikabelo and Mike by the gate whom informed him that Motoloki was not around as he spent the night at his girlfriend’s place.

“Truly while we were still talking, Motoloki arrived. Dikabelo asked Motoloki to keep his black bag saying he’ll collect it later and left with Mike. We knocked, Malebogo opened the house and we went in to prepare ourselves ready for the piece job. Malebogo went out to sweep the yard,” Popego told court.

He also testified that while he was waiting for his co accused to finish, the police knocked and he answered the door. “They then told us they came following the shoe prints of people they suspect have robbed Engen station. Motoloki told them that the shoeprints might be of Dikabelo and Mike.

They then searched the house and seized Dikabelo’s bag and took us to the police station,” Popego testified. Popego concluded that a second house search was performed by Constable Mosikari who was the investigating officer and that she took the clothes that they planned to change in for their piece job saying, they were the ones described to be worn by the robbers. 

During cross examination, Inspector Lorato Kenadijo of Molepolole police asked him what sort of piece job they were planning to do and he answered that it was a toilet pit-digging job.

Inspector Kenadijo asked him whether they were found in possession of a black bag containing clothes used in the robbery and Popego said yes, a black bag was seized from the house but it belonged to Dikabelo.

“I put it to you that all you told this court is just your afterthoughts, the piece job that you were talking about was to go and rob Engen,” Inspector Kenadijo said. Popego defended himself saying he knew nothing about the Engen robbery.

When Motoloki gave his sworn evidence, he also claimed alibi and related the same story Popego said. Inspector Kenadijo asked Motoloki why they failed to help the police locate Dikabelo and stated that the second state witness said that in their previous chat he admitted to the offence.

“I never admitted to anything. We applied for bail and it was denied but we wanted to help the police find Dikabelo and Mike,” Motoloki answered.
Principal Magistrate Sibanda advised the accused persons to ensure that when they prepare their final submissions they put concrete reasons as to why they should be acquitted and not repeat what they had already said in court.

The case was closed waiting for final submissions to be read on the 3rd of March 2014. Ends