Man arraigned for killing alleged pregnant girlfriend
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Thursday September 2, 2021 15:44
Charles appeared before Magistrate Thabang Chokwe recently. According to Court papers, self-employed Charles was charged with a single count of murder.
The same Court statement states that Charles allegedly stabbed his girlfriend, Oratile Makopo with a sharp object. The incident took place on August 26 at Matobo village.
It was reported that before the horrific incident, both the accused and the deceased person went for shopping here early in the morning.
During the fateful day, when Charles and Makopo were done with shopping, they headed back to Makobo village where the deceased person was residing.
Additionally, at night at around 8 pm the accused person allegedly stabbed his girlfriend to death.
During Charles' Court appearance, State prosecutor Sesafele Dijeng made an application for the accused person to be remanded in custody.
She prayed with the Court to call the Investigating officer (IO) Barulaganyi Motsumi to the dock to state the reasons why the accused should not be granted bail pending investigations.
Giving motivation why the accused person could not be granted bail, Motsumi told the Court that investigations on the matter are still at the initial stage hence the accused person cannot be granted bail.
Motsumi indicated that they are still yet to follow up possible witnesses in order to record their statements.
She shared that they also fear for the accused person’s safety.
She stated that currently the matter is still fresh and residents of Makobo are still angry after the devastating incident.
The IO also told court that Charles shared a close relationship with the deceased person.
He added that even though they managed to recover some exhibits, they are still yet to recover others.
Motsumi indicated that she heard that Charles had some pending cases before the same Court which she is yet to confirm.
Asked if he had anything to say in relation to the application made, Charles said he was not happy with his living conditions when he was still detained at Central police here.
He also said for some reasons he was forced to sleep on the toilet something which he described as unfair.
The investigating officer’s plea was upheld as Magistrate Chokwe remanded the accused person.
He stated that the accused person cannot be granted bail as the matter is still fresh and the society is still angry about the incident. The accused is due in court on September 14.