11 Aug 2026

First accused in the Kopong murder case, Moagi Letsholo, has refused to appear before Justice Oteng Motlhala of the Gaborone High Court, demanding a written court order.

Letsholo, who was appearing before Justice Bafi Nlanda on a separate matter, informed the prosecution that he was not aware of the murder case mentioned before Justice Motlhala.

Monday’s court appearance before Justice Motlhala was the initial appearance after the matter was committed to the High Court for the commencement of the trial.

“The accused has just arrived but is refusing to come to court, demanding a written court order to appear before this court,” prosecutor, Ms Seeletso Ookeditse told the court, explaining his non-appearance.

Meanwhile, Letsholo’s attorney, Mr Kole Koke, withdrew from representing the accused, citing a relationship with the deceased’s family.

Mr Koke told the court that he was a close associate of Dr Kefilwe Selema, whose aunt is the deceased.

Letsholo, Gaolemogwe Kosie, Outlwile Aston, the victim’s husband and Kebaleboge Ntsebe are charged with the murder of Barulaganye Aston on July14, 2022. Aston was a teacher at Kopong Junior Secondary School.

The accused are facing charges after the victim was found brutally killed in her home.

The case will be mentioned again for a status hearing on November 4 to allow the other accused persons to secure legal representation of their choice. The prosecution, when committing the matter to the High Court, indicated that it intended to call a total of 27 witnesses and would also provide various exhibits to support its case against the four accused persons.

Letsholo will be awaiting allocation of another pro deo lawyer following the withdrawal of Mr Kole, while the second accused person, Aston, is represented by Dr Obonye Jonas.The other accused persons, Kosie and Ntsebe, are yet to finalise their legal representation for the murder trial. The case is scheduled for August 13. ENDS