Sepopa for psychiatric assessment
Larona Makhaiza | Monday August 28, 2023 06:00
The psychiatric assessment for Sepopa comes after Chief Magistrate, Kamogelo Mmesi sought to establish whether the accused is mentally fit or not as she said the court will consider the accused's bail once the assessment report is out.
The soldier, who is a Captain by army rank, face a double murder charge after he allegedly brutally shot and killed his wife, Bogolo Sepopa and another woman, Same Moapare, in July this year.
On July 17 when people were clebrating President’s day holidays, they woke up to disturbing news that Sepopa had fatally shot his wife and Moapare and held two others hostage. The BDF confirmed in a statement then that two people had been rescued and were currently working in collaboration with other security agencies to resolve the situation.
The BDF later confirmed that the situation has since been defused and that Sepopa had been arrested and handed over to Botswana Police Service. BDF disclosed that two females lost their lives due to alleged shooting by Sepopa.
The news of Sepopa fatally shooting his wife and Moapare sent shockwaves across social media as people wanted to know what really transpired on the fateful day.
Appearing for status hearing on Thursday before the Extension II Magistrate, the State prosecutor revealed to court that the State would only be able to apprise the court of assessment results on the next mention after they have successfully booked him for assessment. “As per the order that the court ordered that the accused be taken for psychiatric assessment, we can now confirm that the accused is booked for August 30.
We shall have the report after the assessment is made,” the State prosecutor said. Presiding Magistrate Mmesi further implored the State prosecutor to give an update on the case. “I have been informed that the investigations are almost complete on this matter. There is only one more statement left to be recorded and we will wrap up the investigations,” State prosecutor said.
The State prosecutor highlighted that as soon as the investigations have been wrapped up, they will start readying for trial at the High Court. “We will then start the process of committal document so that we head to trial and the accused can now stand trial at the High Court,” State prosecutor said.
Meanwhile, attorney Ofentse Khumomotse who is representing Sepopa, did not show up for the status hearing. In his attorney’s absence, the presiding Magistrate asked Sepopa if he has anything to say and he responded by stating that he had nothing to say. Sepopa is to be further remanded in custody and will appear for his status hearing on September 7. On the same day, the court will be apprised of the psychiatric assessment of the accused.