Suspect found with explosives

Lebogang Mosikare | Thursday June 18, 2015 14:57

The state alleges that Mompati John, 21, and seven others who where not before court were unlawfully found with explosives at Global Holdings near Botswana Meat Commission (BMC) on June 16. The accused were allegedly found with four megamite tubes and three EZ detonators.

In another count, John and his accomplices are also charged with assaulting two security guards at Global Holdings.

Police say that the accused assaulted the guards with bricks and metal rods leaving one of the guards hospitalised at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital in a critical condition. Inspector Kelekang Tshepho applied for John’s plea to be reserved because investigations in the offences have just commenced.

He said the investigating officer in the matters was attending to a fresh murder case within their policing area. 

“The accused allegedly committed the offences with seven others who are still on the run and have not been arrested.

“We fear that the accused may abscond if granted bail,” said Tshepho responding to Principal Magistrate Sijabuliso Siziba.

Siziba had asked him if there was any possibility of the accused interfering or not attending court if granted bail.

Added Tshepho: “The accused and his accomplices allegedly assaulted guards they found looking after property at Global Holdings leaving one of them hospitalised in a critical condition at Nyangabgwe.  “The investigating officer will be available tomorrow (Thursday) to brief the court about his investigations. We think it is still premature to grant the accused bail.”

John absolved himself from the matters when asked by the court to reply to the state application that he further be remanded in custody.

“I do not know anything about the alleged crimes. I was not holding any explosives neither did I assault anyone with bricks and rods,” said the accused.

Siziba ruled in favour of the police and ordered the accused to come to court today (Thursday).

Meanwhile the acting station commander of Kutlwano police David Ramoseki confirmed that there is a new murder case that was still being investigated by his officers. He was however cagey with details save to say that investigations in the matter have just commenced.