08 Sep 2026

Gaofengwe Selaolo, a 42-year-old woman accused of murdering her boyfriend’s son and burying him in a shallow grave on a hilltop in  Mmankgodi, closed her defense on Friday by calling a police officer and a prison officer as witnesses. 

Selaolo maintained throughout the trial that she was assaulted by the police to force her to admit to the crime and to lead a search team to the hill in Mmangodi, where she allegedly buried the child. 

To address the alleged assault, the defense called prison officer Kefilwe Ditlhong, who told the court that she first encountered the accused at Gaborone Women’s Prison on 15 March 2016.

 Officer Ditlhong noted, however, that she did not recall escorting the accused on 17 April 2016, adding that prisoners were typically escorted when going for medical attention.

“Ms Ditlhong, do you confirm that on 17 April 2016 you did not have any interaction with the accused person?” prosecutor Motseoeme Taunyane asked, to which she responded in the affirmative.The defense also called Inspector Onkemetse Modukanele of the Botswana Police Service. She told the court that the accused showed no visible injuries on 21 April 2016, which was the same day Selaolo complained of torture. 

Inspector Modukanele relayed that she initially prosecuted the abduction case against the accused in 2016 before the matter was upgraded to murder. 

“The magistrate ordered that the accused be taken for medical attention and to the police to report the alleged assault,” she said, adding that both instructions were carried out immediately. 

According to Inspector Modukanele, Selaolo was referred to a psychiatric clinic directly after the medical examination. 

“I did not see any physical injuries,” she told the court in response to questions from, defense attorney Lenah Jele. 

The inspector added that she did not follow up on the assault case registered at Gaborone Central Police Station, as it fell outside her duties as a prosecutor. The State, represented by Mr Motseoeme Taunyane has closed its case and the defense has now called its two witnesses. 

Selaolo is charged with the murder of her boyfriend’s 11-year-old son, Clifford Mochocho in 2016. 

The State alleges she buried him in a shallow grave on a hill in Mmankgodi after her relationship with the boy’s father soured. Selaolo has pleaded not guilty. The matter will return to court on December 10 for oral submissions. ends