Accused killer mother wants access to children

Lindiwe Mozola | Tuesday January 12, 2016 11:42

 

Mokwerekwere told the court that ever since she was out on bail her then boyfriend’s parent had denied her access to her children.

“They took the children when I was in (police) custody, but since I was granted bail they are refusing me access to my children. I, therefore, pray that this court gives (me) assistance with permission to see my children,” she said on Monday when she briefly appeared before court.

Mokwerekwere was appearing on a single count of murder in which she allegedly killed her baby by suffocation at Tshisi cattlepost on July 13, 2015.

Mosweu said that she does not see any reason why Mokwerekwere should be denied access to her children.

“You can only be denied access if there is a report from a psychiatrist or psychologist suggesting that the accused is not in a good state to see her children. 

In this case, the family does not have any of the reports. They do not have any right to deny you access to your children,” Mosweu said.

The magistrate then advised the prosecutor to make an application that the accused be given back her children.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Mpho Ntlhabane said that they are still waiting for post-mortem results, which are taking long to come out.

“Normally the results should take three to four months, however, in this case they have taken a long time for reasons only known by the lab.”

Ntlhabane also pleaded with the court that a warrant of arrest against Mokwerekwere be withdrawn.

 The warrant was issued after Mokwerekwere missed court in November and on the first week of December.  The investigating officer said that the accused gave valid reasons why she missed court proceedings.

Meanwhile, Chief Magistrate Rebecca Motsamai expressed concern over delays in committing murder cases before her court for trial at the High Court.

“It is either the post-mortem results take a long time to be availed or (there are) delays in investigations.

 I do not remember the last time a murder case proceeded to the High Court,” she said, adding that something has to be done to remedy the situation.