Double murder accused alleges police harassment

Mpho Mokwape | Friday June 24, 2016 17:02

 

Twenty-six-year-old Bakang Godisang, who appeared without her lawyer yesterday, told the Broadhurst Principal Magistrate, Monash Ndlovu that the police have been harassing her and forcing her to turn state witness.

She said she was surprised that the police constantly approached her when they knew very well that she had legal representation.

“I have a lawyer and I take advise from him. I don’t know why the police are harassing me to turn a state witness instead of relaying that message to my lawyer,” she said.

Godisang and the first accused person Caroline Gwamolumba are accused of setting Tuelo Mokgalo and Kgalalelo Mokgalo’s rented house on fire in Block 3 in Gaborone on December 23, 2015. It is reported that the elder sister, Tuelo, who was heavily pregnant by then, was a love rival to Gwamolumba and she ultimately gave birth under severe injuries.

She later died on December 31, 2015 while her sister Kgalalelo died the following day on January 1, 2016.

However state prosecutor Mothusi Brown from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions told court that there was not much he could say in relation to the matter as he had just received the file last month.

He said he will update the court on the next date of mention on the way forward. The two accused persons will appear again for mention on August 25.

In a different matter, a woman who is accused of abducting and later killing 11-year-old Clifford Moncho has been further remanded by the Broadhurst Magistrate, Nthabiseng Merafhe-Tladi.

Gaofengwe Selaolo (32), who is the girlfriend to Clifford’s father, was further remanded in custody at the request of the police.

Police prosecutor, Inspector Onkemetse Gaboutlwelwe told the court that she was only instructed to apply for remand warrant to be extended by the officer in charge of the case.

She said she was unable to take further instructions as the officer and the investigating officer were out on an official visit.

Selaolo, who appeared calm and relaxed when given chance to speak, said she did not have anything to say. Selaolo was arrested on March 13 after the police were informed that she was the last person to be seen with the boy. Clifford’s remains were exhumed at a hill near Mankgodi by the police in the company of the accused, a week after she was arrested.