Three months relief for death-row inmate
Sharon Mathala | Thursday April 9, 2015 15:44
Appearing before justices Isaac Lesetedi, Elijah Legwaila and Monametsi Gaongalelwe yesterday, Dingake sought postponement on grounds that he was not aware that the matter was scheduled for the day.
“I was not aware that this matter was to be heard today, I was only informed after I was phoned by my client yesterday that the matter has been called before the court,” he said. Gabaakanye was last year sentenced to death for killing a visually impaired man at Ga-mosusu Lands near Metsimotlhabe village. The 55-year-old serial offender was also sentenced to five years imprisonment for unlawful wounding.
Dingake told the court that he could not proceed with the matter because he was only served with court papers three weeks ago and was not ready to argue his case.
He pleaded with the court that the case is a complex matter that should not be rushed.
“I do not wish to be rushed. I have not even finished reading the facts of the case. I will only be able to file my heads of argument on June 3,” he said.
According to papers before court, on May 2010 Gabaakanye struck the man to death with an axe on the head before proceeding to attempt the same with his wife.
He also robbed them of Tupperware containers, an omega radio, and cutlery amongst others before fleeing the incident.
The police later caught Gabaakanye after he attacked another one of his many victims and stole her cellphone, which was subsequently used to trace him.
His appeal has been postponed to July. Meanwhile the family of deceased who were in court yesterday seemed agitated that the matter was given more time.