Boyfriend acquitted of threat-to-kill

Lebogang Baingapi | Tuesday January 12, 2016 11:38

 

Magistrate Odirile Mokgatle also ruled that evidence in a threat-to-kill case should be convincing that the accused may fulfill his intentions. The character of the accused is also put in question and the victim should also live in fear of the said.

He said it was evident that the accused was drunk on that day and he had no weapon in his possession that can label him dangerous. “There is no substance in the evidence laid above that can demonstrate the possibility of the accused killing his girlfriend.  It was another drinking episode,” he said. He added that Jacqueline Tlhaping was the only witness who testified that Matsatsula was walking around the yard the whole night.  Also, he added further, the investigating officer only relied on the stubbornness of the accused because he had a pending assault case before the police.  He said the state failed to prove its case against the accused person and hence discharged him accordingly.

Shivering and speaking in a trembling voice, Tlhaping told the court last week that during a drinking episode on March 26, 2015, Matsatsula, 33 arrived at her place in Kutuku settlement.  He called his lover Kganetso Letsela to accompany him, who refused on the grounds that she feared him.

When the accused left, he issued a warning that he will return upon which he will cut Letsela’s head.  Tlhaping told the court that she was convinced that the accused could indeed carry out his threat as he thereafter walked around the yard the whole night.

Letsela, 30 also told the court that their relationship was characterised by assaults and abuse. She said she feared that Matsatsula would assault her if she accompanied him. Inspector One Botlhoko of Khakhea Police said during investigations the accused opted to remain silent and refused to be finger-printed.  Botlhoko was convinced that the accused might fulfil his intentions because the couple had a history of abuse and were perpetual clients before the police. Matsatsula dismissed the testimony saying there was nothing that made him dangerous on that day except for the words he uttered.