I was drunk and high on Marijuana - Murder accused
Lebogang Mosikare | Monday March 14, 2022 06:00
When making submissions on extenuation before Justice Bengbame Sechele, Matlho told the court that he has been in custody for six years ever since he was arrested in connection with the offence. Matlho also added that he was granted bail but he unfortunately could not secure two sureties that the court had ordered as one of its bail conditions. “During the day in question, I went to Mma Seabelo’s place to drink khadi, a traditional brew.
As usual, I also smoked dagga. Whilst still entertaining myself, Ndlovu and his friend arrived at Mma Seabelo’s drinking spot. Ndlovu then approached me and slapped my face and then he went to sit where he was previously seated with his friend. Before Ndlovu slapped me, he told me that he had been looking for me.
I understood what he said to mean that he wanted to assault me because he was in the habit of physically and verbally abusing me,” Matlho pleaded in extenuation, adding that he lived a life of fear from the accused. Matlho also revealed before court that he heard Ndlovu telling his friend that “I wanted to kill this dog”, which I understood to mean that he wanted to kill me. Matlho continued: “I was overcome with fear and then I left Mma Seabelo’s place and headed home. While I was sitting at the fire shelter at home, Ndlovu and his friend followed me to my place... Ndlovu’s friend then came to me and told me that Ndlovu had told him that he wanted to kill me.
Ndlovu then lit a torch towards me whilst I was still eating and I told him not to do so. I then went inside the house to put away the food that I was eating. After I came out of the house going to the fire shelter, I noticed that Ndlovu was walking behind me. When I entered the fire shelter, Ndlovu took a tyre lever in a bid to strike me but I managed to disarm him. I then took the tyre lever and hit him with it.” Matlho also told the court that his mother and father passed away while he was still a toddler and was raised by people who were not his relatives and as such he lacked proper parental guidance whilst growing up. “I lacked proper parental guidance as opposed to children who are brought up with parents.
If I had enjoyed good parental guidance, I could have grown up properly.
It is also true that the fifth prosecution witness knew that the deceased was in the habit of verbally and physically abusing me. The deceased was also fond of burning me with cigarettes and I was leaving in constant fear of him. I did not manage to run away from the deceased when he attacked me because he had cornered me,” said Matlho. Matlho’s attorney, Kesegofetse Molosiwa told the court that he will file written submissions on extenuation on or before March 23. Justice Sechele made an order for Matlho to continue to be in custody until he fulfills his bail conditions and will deliver a ruling on extenuation on April 26.