Death row inmate Ntsuape regrets offences

Mpho Mokwape | Tuesday June 18, 2024 12:37

Ntsuape, who was convicted last year after pleading guilty to two counts of murder and four counts of attempted murder, had a psychologist vouch for him last week when he appeared for mitigation before Gaborone High Court judge, Barnabas Nyamadzabo. According to the psychologist based at Botswana Prison Service, Tsholo Zion, she met Ntsuape in 2021 when he was remanded in custody and through time she got to know him and believes that he can be rehabilitated as he has shown remorseful behaviour. 'He seems very remorseful and genuine. He has put so much effort in changing his behaviour and he has made an effort to reach out to those he has wronged and apologised,' she said.

Zion told the court that during their sessions, Ntsuape showed that he was willing to make amends as he showed her a letter he wrote to one of the people he hurt. Though the psychologist was not sure if the letter reached the intended person, she stated that it was proof enough to show that Ntsuape was remorseful about his acts and striving to be a better individual. 'He is very regretful of the offences he committed. That's all he talks about and the reason why I stated that [is] he seems genuine in trying to better his behaviour,' Zion said. Ntusape who was said to have anger issues with major outbursts by one Dr Pal Sidandi, a senior psychiatrist with Jubilee Psychiatric Clinic in Francistown, is said to be managing his anger now with fewer outbursts.

Zion had told the court that when she met Ntsuape, she realised that he struggled a lot with anger issues, often resulting in uncontrollable outbursts. She revealed that it was difficult at first to deal with Ntsuape but later found a way to help him manage his anger issues. 'I introduced different strategies to help him manage his anger. It helped him a lot because along the way he started improving. His outbursts reduced and he became more calm,' she added. Meanwhile, Ntsuape charges are that on December 1, 2016, in Gerald, Francistown, while being transported to prison from court, he wrestled for the steering wheel of a Prisons vehicle they were transported in, swinging it leading to the vehicle overturning.

The incident resulted in two people being killed, who were a police officer and one inmate. 'On December 1, 2016, the accused person caused a Toyota Quantum to overturn and cause an accident. As a result of the vehicle overturning, Thuso Ntosa, a special constable and an inmate Emmanuel Mapholo were killed,' read the charge. Further, the unfortunate incident also led to the injury of four other occupants. Ntsuape was alleged to have planned an escape from custody with another inmate as he was constantly complaining about the challenges he faced in prison. The convict has been on death row since May 12, 2022, for killing the mother of his ex-girlfriend and he is expected to be sentenced for the double murder this year in August.