Son confesses to killing parents, brother
Pini Bothoko | Friday August 10, 2018 10:42
Oahile-Mokibe said this when Ramantosha and his co-accused Mmoloki Tlhaelo 37, Poloko Segwagwa 27 and Cornelious Saidoo 28 were appearing for their first mention before Molepolole Magistrate’s Court.
The quartet, faced with three counts of murder, is suspected to have murdered Patrick Ramantosha 55, his wife Boingotlo Fridah Ramantosha, 47, and their son Keabetswe Ramantosha 22.
The deceased were found dead with their hands and legs tied up and their mouths covered on June 22.
“Ramantosha confessed to the offence, hence if released on bail, he is likely to interfere with police investigations. State prosecution disclosed that post mortem was conducted and DNA samples on the case have been sent to the laboratory and the results of such may open up more leads into the case, hence the need to give prosecution enough time to carry out their investigations,” she said.
She stated that she looked at the confession of the crime on the basis that police are still following leads including items that are alleged to have been taken from the deceased’s yard.
“Prosecution stated they are yet to follow and possibly retrieved the said items from the northern part of Botswana and as such they will need enough time to do so without interference.
“I have also taken into account this is the first mention for the accused persons as they were recently arrested hence the need to allow the State to carry out their investigations without any pressure, especially looking at a serious offence such as this, but not giving an impressions that other offences should be given less attention,” said Oahile-Mokibe.
The chief magistrate stated that when the accused were arraigned, it was mentioned that they were found in possession of a television set belonging to the deceased.
She went on to state that prosecution revealed that something that looked like a gun was retrieved and has been taken to the experts for further analysis.
Representing state prosecution, chief prosecution counsel Thato Dibeela seeking for further detention of the accused persons pleaded with court to take note that it is a case on its own class that has attracted the public’s interest.
“Police are yet to put together evidence to use before court. Some investigations have already yielded fruit, and witnesses are coming forth assisting the police though there are some very big substances to be done,” she said.
She went on to say the public has been outraged by the recent murders, hence fearing that they may take the law into their hands if the accused persons were freed on bail.
“Looking at their turn up today, it shows that people are furious. The case is still fresh in the minds of the community and the nation. There are also outstanding charges of robbery that might be added concerning a particular item that was removed from the deceased’s yard which the police retrieved from Mogoditshane following their ongoing investigations,” she said.
For their part, the other accused pleaded with court to grant them bail stating that they were not residents of Molepolole, and as such members of the community cannot cause them any harm.
Representing Ramantosha, attorney Sesupo Masaka objected to further remand of his client, stating that he cannot tamper with police investigations as prosecution claims because he has been cooperating well with the police.