Man with many names up for defilement
Lebogang Mosikare | Wednesday August 11, 2021 08:23
FRANCISTOWN: A man with many names but no identity document (Omang) appeared in court today to face one count of defilement.
Mpho Thabiso Kewagamang Motsemme, 25, allegedly defiled a 17-year-old girl at Donga on August 3, 2021.
When the accused appeared before Magistrate Game Mooketsi for arraignment, Inspector Mbatshi Mafa applied that he shall be remanded in custody because investigations were still at an initial stage.
The investigations officer (IO) Neo Mazhani told the court that the accused should be remanded in custody because he was a flight risk.
“The accused has no identity document. He referred the prosecution to Borakanelo Police Station when we asked him about his names. He told us that his surnames are Seloka, Kewagamang and Motsemme and we are not sure about this. The accused did not show us where he lives in Francistown. He told us that he is staying with his relative but when we asked him further, he said that he is visiting his friend in the city,” Mazhani said.
“The accused also told us that he came to Francistown for a funeral and he comes from Kanye. I have not yet contacted the accused’s relatives to confirm his true name. It will be difficult for the prosecution to locate the accused should the court decision be to grant him bail,” Mazhani said.
When responding to what Mazhani had said, the accused told the court that he told Mazhani that his names were Mpho Seloka.
“I gave the IO all the information that she wanted to know about myself... I am also Motswana and I am asking the court to grant me bail. There is nowhere I can escape to if I am granted bail... I promise the court that I will report myself to any of the nearest police station if I am granted bail,” the accused said.
When denying the accused bail, Mooketsi said they face a dicey situation as they do not have his true names.
"It is in the best interest of justice at this stage that the accused shall be remanded in custody pending further investigations. The accused shall be remanded in custody until August 24."