Man appears for rape, giving false information

Ivy Matlho | Wednesday January 13, 2016 15:03

 

Boipuso Lebopo allegedly raped a middle-aged woman near Elpaso Club on July 4, 2015 acting jointly with his co-accused who was not present at court.

He is also facing another charge where on the same date after the Selebi-Phikwe police officers arrested him for the alleged rape, gave them false names. Lebopo is said to have told the police officer in charge that his names was Patrick and was later discovered by the police officers after investigations that his real names were Boipuso Lebopo.

Lebopo pleaded not guilty to the first count of rape and pleaded guilty in the second count. He will appear again tomorrow before Mmesi for facts readings.

Still in court, in a separate case another 24-year-old, Obakeng Thamae, who is facing a single count of robbery, pleaded with the court to grant him bail to await trial outside.

Thamae, complained that prison was not a very conducive environment for him. He stated that he has suffered enough and needed to be granted bail. He said that what pained him most is that his co-accused was out on bail which he (Thamae) said was unfair. Thamae said that he felt his rights were being infringed upon.

“The person I jointly committed the crime with is awaiting trial outside while I am in prison. He was never kept in prison, so this court is being unfair to me,” he said. He added that the court was not doing justice to him as he was denied bail because of a crime he was once linked to. He said that he was surprised that the court was making him suffer for the case that was withdrawn.  “I am kept in prison because I was once linked to a crime that was later withdrawn. Why should I suffer due to a case that was withdrawn?” wondered Thamae.

Mmesi countered that Thamae was previously advised by the court to apply for bail at the High Court hence he cannot blame her for his ignorance.

“It is not the first time you want to be granted bail. The court  previously advised you to apply for bail at the High Court but you have failed to do so,” she retorted.

Mmesi added that Thamae stayed long without applying for bail which is a disadvantage to him now. “This is especially because trial dates are nearer. Your chances for being granted bail by the High Court are slim.

“Right now it is too late for you to apply for bail and even if you do apply, for it now it will not be granted because the trial date is nearer,” she said.

Thamae and his co-accused’s trial dates are set for February 18-19.