Murder accused wants co-accused released

Lindiwe Mozola | Thursday January 28, 2016 16:08

“I pray to this court to release the second accused since he did not witness what happened during the alleged murder and withdraw his charges,” he said.

However, Magistrate Gofaone Mosweu’s response was that the order can only be done with the endorsement of the public prosecution on advise from the police investigating the matter.

“I am in no state to carry out the order since I am not aware of the findings of the incident. I will leave it to the investigation officer who will confirm whether to release the second accused or not,” said the Magistrate.

To which, the prosecutor, sergeant Ditsapelo Emmanuel told the court he would speak to the investigation officer and seek advice. He noted that since Tapologo was making the application for the first time, it could not be acceded to right away.

“I will therefore pray for the further remand of both accused while we still await post-mortem results, the album and the statement of the scene of crime.

As for the first accused’s plea I will confirm first with the investigating office who will give the way forward,” said Emmanuel.

The accused, Tapologo and Bareetseng, are charged with the murder of Thabo Ntlhalefang, 23 on November 2, 2015 at Medlock Bar in Extension 2 in Palapye.

The accused did not have legal representatives when they appeared. Their next mention appearance will be on February 10.

In a separate matter, an alleged murderer of a pre-school teacher at Happy Home, Boitshwarelo Batshogile decried that the prosecution delay in releasing the crime scene photo album was unnecessarily dragging the case.

He said it had been four months since he was arrested and there was little progress in his case. He said he worried that the prosecution was advancing the same reason to further delay the case.

In response, state prosecutor Emmanuel noted that the machine that is used to select the crime scene photos for the photo album is still being fixed as it had crashed.

“The scene of crime officer said that they have difficulties in preparing the photo album due to the machine which is being assembled and as soon as it is fixed we will be done with investigations. We therefore, pray for the further remand of the accused,” he said.

Magistrate Mosweu then advised the accused to apply for bail through the High Court while the investigations are on-going.

Batshogile is alleged to have murdered his girlfriend Lebogang France on October 6, 2015 at Boikago ward. He appeared in person and will appear for another mention on February 10.