More clues in Montshiwa murder case
Sharon Mathala | Tuesday January 5, 2016 14:35
A reputable lawyer, traditional doctor and a businessman were arrested and charged with Montshiwa’s murder.
The three accused persons have since appeared before the Village Magistrate Court charged with his murder and one has been granted bail whilst the other two were denied bail.
On December 23, the 31-year-old lawyer was arrested by the police. “The Botswana Police has arrested a 31-year-old Gaborone-based lawyer in connection with the death of former Fairground Holdings Chief Executive Officer, Michael Montshiwa, who was shot and killed in Gaborone in the evening of October 18 this year (2015),” reads the statement from the police.
The lawyer, David Modise, appeared before court the next morning and was granted a P10,000 bail. Two days later, the Gaborone West police arrested the other two men in connection with the murder. “The duo is Batswana men aged between 31 and 38-years. They were arrested in Gaborone,” another press release followed a few days after the lawyer’s appearance in court.
The two men appeared in court on December 28, 2015 before Magistrate Ike Raphael.
Their charge sheet dated December 29, 2015 reads, “the accused persons Bampoloki Seeiso, Tumelo Tshukudu and two others not before this court on or about 18th day of October at Block 6 in Gaborone, acting together in and in concert murdered Michael Thatayaone Montshiwa.” Called to explain how the men are linked to the murder case, the investigations officer (IO) Detective Superintendent Sergeant Marapo said the men had voluntarily confessed to the police with information critical in the case.
Marapo revealed that Modise bought the gun from Seeiso on October 17 with the assistance of his co-accused Tshukudu (who is Modise’s friend) for P2,500.
The officer further told the court that Tshukudu went to Mafikeng with Modise on two occasions in an attempt to purchase a pistol for self-protection. Marapo said Tshukudu, also a friend to Mpolokang, referred Modise to Seeiso who was selling his 30.06 rifle.
The court also heard that the rifle was sold on October 17 at Gaborone West and was handed to Modise in the presence of one Chester who was also not before court.
The lawyer for the accused, Enock Mazonde, argued that his clients only sold the gun to David and that asking him its whereabouts will be the ideal thing to do.
He also argued that at the most his clients should be charged with illegal possession of a firearm and not murder. The two are expected to appear before court next Tuesday (January 12), while Modise will make his second appearance on January 24.