Judge postpones slain rapper�s trial
Mpho Mokwape | Tuesday June 10, 2014 16:36
Justice Michael Mothobi postponed Setshwantsho’s trial to today after defence lawyer, Banyatsang Mmekwa, failed to turn up at the Gaborone High Court.
The case has garnered public attention as one of the state’s eight witnesses will include Odirile “Vee” Sento protégé and kwaito star, Aminoni ‘Mingo’ Mojokeri.
Two former accused persons who are now state witnesses will join the eight witnesses.
Yesterday, Mothobi heard that the defence lawyer was absent as he was unaware of the court date and was consequently out of town. Mmekwa requested a rescheduling of the case.
“Mmekwa said that there was no indication that he was supposed to be in court today according to his diary and hence he is not even in town,” prosecutor, Lameck Kgosiile told the court.
“For the sake of progress in this case, he requests that the date be moved to tomorrow (Tuesday).”
However, Mothobi did not take kindly to the prosecutor’s revelation saying that the defence lawyer had agreed on the trial dates with the court and the DPP. He emphasised that it was therefore impossible for him to have not known about the trial.
“It is unfortunate that state resources are abused like this but since he is not here to answer for himself, this matter is adjourned,” said Mothobi.
Earlier on, the judge had reprimanded the murder accused for arriving late in court, after Setshwantsho walked in minutes late without his lawyer.
The murder accused told Mothobi that he had been caught in a roadblock near Botswana Television circle for driving without a licence, which he had forgotten at home.
“I am surprised not to find my lawyer in court today but I guess he was not aware of the trial.
“I last spoke to him last week and we agreed to meet but he never got back to me,” said Setshwantsho.
Asked how he knew about the trial date when his lawyer claimed ignorance, Setshwantsho said he had been reminded by one of the accused-turned-state witness about the trial. He said he had failed to update his lawyer.
“Do not try to shift the blame on yourself, your attorney is the one who agreed on the dates without consulting you and it is his responsibility to inform you and not waste time and state resources,” said Mothobi.
Prosecutor, Lameck Kgosiile, has been asked to submit full witness statements today as the court only has a summary.
Setshwantsho is alleged to have murdered Nkomazana during an altercation between his (Setshwantsho)’s gang and Mojokeri’s friends at a filling station near Old Naledi in 2009.
The bloody attack left the young rapper dead and several others with multiple stab wounds.