BDF soldier denies killing his two young children
Lebogang Mosikare | Thursday February 18, 2016 16:12
Thebe Ndjavera, 26, pleaded not guilty to two counts of killing Paseka and Palesa Ramaditse at his girlfriend’s rented place after charges were read to him on Tuesday.
The defence attorney Reneetswe Rabosotho said the prosecution has informed them that they would call 13 witnesses for purposes of establishing the guilt or otherwise of the accused.
“The prosecution also said they have five documents that they want to bring before court,” said Ramosotho, adding that, “Upon taking instructions from my client, the defence acting in pursuant to the provisions of Section 273 of the Criminal Procedures and Evidence Act admit the facts contained in the summary of evidence. We shall accept evidence of 13 witnesses except the evidence of consultant psychiatrist, Dr Paul Sidandi”.
The defence, Rabosotho said, would further admit the post-mortem reports of the deceased, forensic affidavit of Boitshepo Bojosi and the photo album.
State counsel Kuda Mbonini said they agreed with what Rabosotho said.
“Dr Sidandi whose evidence was not admitted is unfortunately in Nairobi, Kenya on leave. The Human Resources office at Nyangabwe Referral Hospital has assured us that he would be available in court in April. We therefore apply for trial dates to be set in April,” Mbonini said.
On Monday, the defence applied that the accused was insane when he allegedly committed the offences.
The defence cited Sections 158 and 160 respectively dealing with inquiry by court as to lunacy of accused and defence of lunacy at preparatory examination.
Justice Barnabas Nyamadzabo postponed the matter to April 18 for trial.
Meanwhile, the courts were brought to a temporary halt after a false fire alarm rang. Judges, lawyers, administration of justice staff and journalists hurriedly got out of the courts and congregated outside the high court for 10 to 15 minutes after the alarm rang.