Sentence tomorrow in Khadi drink fatal brawl
Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday May 17, 2022 15:14
When facts of the matter were read to Ikanyeng Brown, 42, and Obolokeng Kebadire, 32, in connection to the death of Boitumelo Setseeng who died on April 14, 2014, at Kgwamathe cattlepost, it became clear that Setseeng died because of his own machinations.
Brown and Kebadire were initially charged with murder but the offence was reduced to manslaughter following discussions between the state and the defence counsels.
The duo pleaded guilty after the offence was read to them.
According to the facts, Brown went to a drinking hole to drink a local brew called Khadi at around 3pm and was later joined by Kebadire at around 5pm.
“While Brown was still drinking Khadi, he was joined by Setseeng who asked Brown if they should drink together to which Brown acceded. After Brown and Setseeng finished drinking the alcohol that Brown bought, Setseeng went to buy his own alcohol [beverage] and when the former asked if they could drink together since they drank his alcohol together, the latter refused.
"Brown ignored him and he went to buy his own alcohol. After Setseeng finished his alcohol, he went to Brown and forcefully demanded that they should share Brown’s alcohol but Brown refused. Setseeng did not take that lightly and he started insulting Brown by mentioning his manhood,” read the facts.
Setseeng also punched Brown on the chest and Kebadire, who later joined Brown and was drinking alcohol with him (Brown) intervened in a bid to stop a fight from ensuing, state the facts.
“The accused then bought more alcohol which the deceased also wanted to drink by force but they refused. A fight ensued again between Brown and Setseeng. In the ensuing melee, Setseeng took out a knife and tried to stab Kebadire who was trying to diffuse the tension. However, Kebadire managed to take the knife from Setseeng and stabbed him once in the chest. Police from Shoshong were later called and they took Setseeng to the clinic where he was certified dead upon arrival. The post mortem report revealed that he died of a stab wound which penetrated his heart,” as per the facts.
After the facts were read to the accused, Moroka said that the essential elements of the offence were disclosed adding that he was, therefore, satisfied that the accused’s pleas were unequivocal.
Public prosecutor Bianca Ockhuizen then told the court that the accused persons were first offenders.
Addressing the court on mitigation, both the defence counsels said that the accused were first offenders who readily pleaded guilty to the offence which on its own is a sign of remorse on their part.
The defence also said that the accused were of a rustic background, never gainfully employed nor did they go to school.
The attorneys also implored the court to take into consideration that the offence was not premeditated adding that it was also committed when the accused were consuming alcohol which had impaired their minds.
The defence attorneys also prayed with the court to pass a lenient or suspended sentence against the accused because the accused had already spent four years in jail after they committed the offence amongst other mitigatory factors.
The accused are due for sentence tomorrow (April 18, 2022).