Jail For 'Cattle Rustler’s' Attempted Killer
Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday August 24, 2021 06:00
Masego Gobotsamang was the accused in a case in which he was convicted for the attempted murder of Oemeletse Mmopiemang on October 12, 2015, at Morongwa lands in the Central District. According to evidence adduced in court, Gobotsamang landed in trouble after attempting to kill Mmopiemang when the former shot at the latter with a rifle albeit missing him. Gobotsamang landed in hot water after witnesses told him that Mmopiemang was trekking two of his cattle at a borehole where the livestock drinks.
In a fit of rage, Gobotsamang took his gun on a hunt for the alleged cattle rustler, Mmopiemang. After finding Mmopiemang at a certain yard in Morongwa, which was also full of witnesses, he disembarked from his car and headed for the former who was seated in the crowd, uttering these words: “I am going to kill you for stealing my cattle”. Gobotsamang, according to court information, then fired a shot in the air, whereupon Mmopiemang hid between two cars to avoid being hit. In his defence, Gobotsamang admitted that he fired his gun twice, first in the air and then at the rear tyre of the vehicle that Mmopiemang had scurried for cover after the first shot. Gobotsamang contended that his intention was not to kill but scare Mmopiemang.
Gobotsamang also said that if he intended to shoot and kill Mmopiemang, he would have done that when the opportune time presented itself while Mmopiemang was escaping. However, Gobotsamang’s assertion was refuted by a State witness who said that Gobotsamang did not exercise that option because he knew that he (Gobotsamang) was not a marksman.
“The shooting was triggered by the accused’s suspicion after some people told him that they saw the complainant trekking his cattle at the borehole. The accused did not reveal or bring to court the people he said told him that they saw the complainant trekking his cattle. Also, the accused decided to take the law into his hands contrary to reporting to the police after he heard allegations that the complainant stole his cattle,” Nyamadzabo said.
In my view, Nyamadzabo noted, Mmopiemang could not have run away if Gobotsamang did not threaten to kill him. “Given that it was not only Mmopiemang who heard Gobotsamang threatening to kill the complainant, Gobotsamang’s denial that he did not utter those words is false... The result is that the State has proven its case against the accused beyond any reasonable doubt.
The accused is therefore guilty of attempted murder,” said Nyamadzabo. With his fate sealed for jail time, Gobotsamang will be sentenced at a later stage. He has the right to appeal his conviction and/or sentence.