Kopong murder accused await bail verdict
Larona Makhaiza | Friday February 3, 2023 13:43
On January 24, 2023, the three appeared before Magistrate Lobby Moilatshimo seeking bail, as they wish to await trial outside prison.
The trio is facing allegation of brutally killing Barulaganye Aston who was Outlwile’s wife and a teacher at Kopong.
This is not the first time the accused pleaded for bail since they were arrested last year. At the time they were denied bail before on reasons that they pose a flight risk and another reason was that one of them was interfering with witnesses.
In the last appearance, the issue resurfaced as Outlwile was this time around said to be interfering with witnesses. State prosecutor, Seeletso Ookeditse had argued that the accused should further be remanded in custody as it is quite prevalent that the accused pose a grave danger to the witnesses if they were to be released on bail.
The State argument amongst others is that as they are currently remanded in prison, they still find their way to interfere with witnesses. Firstly, it was Kosie who was alleged to be interfering with the witnesses and recently it was Outlwile who was also alleged to be interfering with the witnesses particularly his son, Thato Aston.
And due to these alleged instances of interference, the State prosecutor vehemently appealed that the three accused should await trial in prison. On the other hand, attorney Kagisano Tamocha who representsthe second accused Kosie argued that his client, should be granted bail come Monday. “The accused deserve to be given bail as there has been change in circumstances, as we are told the child statement has been recorded but last time we were told the statement has not been recorded because the child is going through counselling,” said Tamocha.
Jonas on the other hand argued that his client should not be denied bail on assumptions that he is interfering with the witnesses as he is not the one that sent one Philip Molwantwa to go and interact with his son as Molwantwa did that on his own accord.
The case continues on February 6, 2023.