Murder accused granted more time to plead
Tumelo Mouwane | Thursday November 19, 2015 15:38
Dimpho Kemoitse is accused of using two Okapi knives to stab his then girlfriend, Monyana Mbusi to death at Block 5 in Gaborone. The deceased was a Form Five student at Masunga Senior Secondary School at the time.
Yesterday, Kemoitse told Justice Godfrey Nthomiwa that he was yet to discuss a plea with his lawyer.
“I am not ready to take a plea today I am yet to sit down with my attorney to discuss the matter forward,” he said.
However, Kemoitse’s attorney, Tefo Sebola told the court that the request for postponement of the plea was “an unexpected turn of events”. Sebola said he had discussed the matter at length with his client.
“I am at a loss for words and I don’t know what to tell the court,” he said.
“After the last court sitting, I travelled with the accused person to Gaborone and we had a chance to discuss the matter at length.
“He came to my office on Monday and we further discussed the matter.
“I had an opportunity to advise him as to what the law requests and what he should expect.
“What I know is that the accused person was going to take a plea today and we had prepared to make an application for mitigation.”
Lesedi Seloka of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions was equally surprised by this development.
“We have also been surprised by turn of events. We were aware that the accused person was advised and aware of what would take place today,” Seloka said.
Nthomiwa, however, advised the parties to give Kemoitse more time as he is facing a serious offence and his plea will be a lifetime decision.
The matter will continue on December 8, 2015 for status hearing.