01 Nov 2025

The trial of double murder accused and convicted serial rapist, Tshepiso Letsididi, has been scheduled to continue next year in March and April.

The case, which is before Justice Oteng Motlhala of the Gaborone High Court, will continue on March 3 to 4 and April 7 to 13.

Earlier, the state prosecutor, Ms Gaotlalelwe Mokhondo, told the court that the state could only call three witnesses to take a stand, as the rest would only come after the forensic scientist had testified.

However, she said the forensic witness would only be available in March next year, as he was outside the country studying.

Overall, Ms Mokhondo said the state was left with about thirteen witnesses to complete its case.

Hence, Justice Motlhala said the court would sit at the beginning of March to deal with the three witnesses, while the rest would wait for the forensic witness.

Meanwhile, one of the state witnesses, Bakwena deputy paramount chief Kgosi Lawrence Mhaladi, who is the brother of the deceased, Ms Penekane Mhaladi, said he had never met Letsididi and did not know him.

When recounting the events of his sister's demise, he said he was called by his niece on November 13, 2022, who told him that Penekane and Laofa Mmamorepo had been murdered.

When Mr Mhaladi arrived, he found the police already at the scene. He added that three days later, he went to the mortuary to identify the bodies of Penekane and Laofa for postmortem examination.

Another witness, Mr Moemedi Mhaladi, also said he had not met the accused person, adding that he was also called to the crime scene on November 13 and was told of the death of Penekane and Laofa.

He said that on Monday, as he was on his way from Gaborone, he saw Penekane's vehicle, a Toyota Camry, at around the Kopong-Metsimotlhabe junction, and there was no one in the car.

He said he then alerted the police, who informed him to wait by the car until they arrived.

He added that the police arrived alongside other family members to identify the car, noting that one of the front lamps was damaged.

He noted that prior to the dent, he had not known the car to have any damage.

The state is represented by Ms Mokhondo and Ms Seeletso Ookeditse of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, while Mr Michael Itumeleng represents Letsididi.

Letsididi is charged with the murder of Penekane and her grandchild, Laofa on November 11, 2022, at Magokotswane in Molepolole, as well as stealing their items valued at around P5000, a Toyota Camry and raping the minor child. ENDS