24 Jun 2026

A state witness in a bail hearing application, Ms Keolebogile Ketshogile says one of the accused persons has confessed to having a hand in killing the deceased and pleaded for forgiveness.

Giving evidence before Molepolole Chief Magistrate, Mr Thebeetsile Molalu, recently, the state witness identified herself as the deceased’s (Kagiso Lesetedi) cousin. 

Ms Ketshogile told the court that Banoge, allegedly confessed her involvement in Lesetedi’s death. 

An employee of MNK Funeral Parlour in Molepolole, Ms Ketshogile told the court that she knew Banoge through their line of work, while Toteng was the deceased’s former girlfriend.

She testified that after Lesetedi’s death, Banoge approached her and asked for forgiveness.

According to Ketshogile, Banoge told her that Toteng had sent her to purchase poison used to kill jackals.

She further told the court that on January 23, a day after her cousin’s death, she went to Smart Funeral Parlour where the deceased was working, to inquire about what had happened to him and to view his body.Following her testimony, Ms Ketshogile was asked by the prosecution whether she supported granting of bail to the accused persons and she strongly opposed the idea.

She told the court that the accused persons allegedly planned the murder of her cousin and feared that if released, they could target her.

Meanwhile, Banoge’s attorney, Mr Rambe Celsius, has labelled Ms Ketshogile visit to the accused person’s workplace and making inquiries as an attempt to interfere with investigations. 

In an emotional moment before stepping down from the witness stand, Ms Ketshogile said: “Ke batla ntsalake ha, ha e le gore lekgotla le ba fa bail,” drawing attention from those packed inside the courtroom.

The second witness, Ms Mercy Teko, an Administration Officer at Smart Funeral Parlour and a work colleague of the deceased and Banoge, told the court that Toteng was Lesetedi’s girlfriend, while Banoge was a colleague and worked as a Sales Consultant.

Ms Teko said on January 19, 2026 while at work with Banoge and other colleagues, Banoge allegedly made a chilling statement regarding Lesetedi’s fate.

According to Ms Teko, Banoge said: “Kagiso ga a kitla a fetsa beke a tshela.”She further testified that after Lesetedi died on January 22 and his body was brought to Smart Funeral Parlour, Banoge allegedly suggested that he had died from food poisoning, as foam was oozing from his mouth.

According to Ms Teko, Banoge stated that she regretted Lesetedi’s death and allegedly disclosed that Toteng had informed her she had managed to obtain the poison they had been looking for in Kanye.

Ms Teko said her colleague, Banoge before the matter was reported to the police, uttered the above statements.

Another prosecution witness, the Investigating Officer (IO), Detective Lerentshitse Otimile opposed bail, urging the court to remand both accused persons in custody until the matter was committed to the High Court.

Ms Otimile told the court that investigations have revealed that the murder was allegedly planned and premeditated.

According to Ms Otimile, Banoge allegedly obtained a substance identified as formalin from the mortuary and provided it to Toteng, who allegedly administered it to the deceased through food poisoning.

Ms Otimile further testified that Banoge had accompanied investigators to the mortuary and pointed out a substance contained in a 20 litre bucket, which she allegedly identified as the substance used in the poisoning.

The IO said investigations were still ongoing and that police were awaiting both laboratory analysis results and the pathological report.

She argued that if granted bail, the accused persons could interfere with potential state witnesses, particularly because some witnesses were colleagues of Banoge.

However, the defence maintained that circumstances have changed, arguing that emotions within the family and community had subsided and that the original concerns regarding their safety were no longer justifiable.After hearing submissions from both parties, Chief Magistrate Molalu reserved judgment and announced that bail ruling will be delivered on July 13. ENDS