Mahalapye gang in court for murder

Lebogang Mosikare | Friday June 12, 2015 16:34

 

The five - Tshepo Segakolodi, Boikanyo Botsalo, Edward Keokeditswe, Mpho Dikgopo and Obuile Goakae - are accused of killing Peter Tabona at Leporong lands near Mahalapye on September 11, 2011 at an entertainment place. Segakolodi and Dikgopo chose to give unsworn statements after Justice Mpaphi Phumaphi explained legal options that they could choose to defend themselves.

Botsalo chose to remain silent while Keokeditswe and Goakae chose to give sworn evidence. When giving his evidence led by his attorney Kesegofetse Molosiwa, Segakolodi said that on September 10, 2011 he and others went to entertain themselves at one Miss Maitshwenyo’s place. He said that peace reigned supreme at the place and they did not encounter any problems. Segakolodi said that as they were about to leave the place after midnight, Botsalo went to call one woman called Kesegofetse with an intention to go with her home. He added that Kesegofetse was not initially drinking with them but was drinking alcohol with other patrons.

“I went to smoke a cigarette and returned to where I had left Botsalo and Kesegofetse. She (Kesegofetse) told me that the deceased Tabona was calling Botsalo but I told her to go and tell Tabona that he cannot call a child into darkness but should instead come to him,” said Segakolodi. Segakolodi said that Tabona came after Botsalo at the courtyard after he refused to go to him and started beating him with fists.

“I then intervened and asked him why he was beating Botsalo since Kesegofetse was reprimanded by Maitshwenyo not to go with Botsalo. He also beat me up and my nose started to bleed. He then went inside the hut and took a knife and stabbed me on my arm,” said Segakolodi. Segakolodi added that Tabona started chasing him with the knife around the yard and he fell on the ground. “He then dragged me inside the hut and continued to beat me. He wanted to stab me with the knife again whilst inside the hut.

I managed to grab his hand before he stabbed me again. Botsalo then pulled him away from me.” He said that after sometime he got outside the hut but did not see where Tabona was at that time. “A knife was later produced in court that the police alleged was mine but it’s not mine because I have long lost mine,” said Segakolodi in conclusion of his defence. Under cross-examination from his lawyer, Isaac Seleka, Keokeditswe told the court that he was drunk when the offence was allegedly committed.

He said he had been drinking Chibuku and smoking dagga and later went to sleep. He said that while sleeping he heard some noise and went in the direction of where the noise was coming from. “I saw a lot of people standing in front of the door of the hut. I passed through them and saw a knife on the ground that I picked and put in my pocket but I did not know its owner. “While still standing there, Segakolodi came but I do no know where he came from. After a few moments Tabona came out of the house running and bumped on me and I fell to the ground,” said Keokeditswe. Phumaphi adjourned the matter while Keokeditswe was still giving his defence. Attorneys Rodger Calendar and Rennetswe Rabosotho represent Dikgopo and Goakae respectively while Kuda Mbonini from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) represents the state in the matter.