Accused person implicates another person

Sharon Mathala | Friday January 15, 2016 15:37

According to the first accused Keagile Sekwati, despite informing the police about the involvement of the individual the man has not been brought to court. He alleges that this is despite the fact that the police had earlier informed him that the man was arrested.

The suspect revealed this yesterday at the Molepolole Village Magistrate Court. The case is before Magistrate Lindiwe Makgoro. The five accused persons are Sekwati, Mojalemotho Mokate, Moetapele Kgololo, Mosimanegape Moatshe and Sebeninyana Puso.

They are facing charges for the murder of Nthabiseng Motlogelwa at Mpadithata settlement near Mogonono lands on the outskirts of Molepolole last October. Motlogelwa was an intern at the same court the men are appearing.

In court yesterday, Sekwati, the only one in his crew without legal representation, questioned why the police have not brought before the court the other individual he had exposed.

“When I was arrested, I mentioned all the names of the people I was involved with in this case. I have told the investigators that there is another person implicated and they have since told me that they arrested him. I wonder where he is now,” he said in court.

State prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Seth Tau said he was not aware of any other implicated person, but told the court that the Investigating Officer (IO) will brief the court in that respect.

“In relation to the first accused person’s application, we do not know whether any other suspect has been arrested, but the IO will clarify this.”

For the defence, lawyer Mcbain Kaang asked the court to summon the investigating officer to court to brief the court how the investigations are unfolding. He said that they had requested to be furnished with statements from the IO but their efforts proved futile.

The case will come for mention on January 28, but the ruling on the bail application will be heard on March 7.

Last year, an enraged mob destroyed shopping complexes and business ostenibly retaliating against the hideous crime allegedly committed by the accused persons. The angry mob spread across the village to destroy buildings belonging to those they suspected were responsible for the young intern’s death.

Molepolole police managed to contain the situation but will continue monitoring the case as evidenced by the heavy presence of armed officers in court yesterday.