Kalafatis suspects free on bail

TSHIRELETSO MOTLOGELWA
Staff Writer | Thursday April 29, 2010 00:00

 

The Botswana Defence Force (BDF) corporals Dzikamani Mothobi, Goitsemang Sechele, Ronny Matako and Boitshoko Maifala were freed on bail with preconditions.  Delivering judgement on the application, Judge Newman said the men's freedom would be on condition that:

* they provide two sureties of P10, 000 each;

* be liable for P10, 000 recognizance;   

* attend court proceedings without fail; and

* do not interfere with witnesses or investigations and that they reside at their recorded residences.

The four have also been asked to surrender their travel documents to the Extension Two Magistrate's Court and to report to the Central Police Station every Friday.

Attorney Seloka of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) did not oppose the bail application. Seloka said that the state did not find any reason to do so, although he wanted the surety amounts set at P25,000.  Phadza Kgalemang, for the four men, had earlier argued that it would not make sense to reject the application, stating that his clients were security officers and therefore could be expected to respect their bail conditions.

He also argued that the four were veteran security officers with little motivation to skip the country or even find employment anywhere else outside the security fraternity. 

The suspects were brought before Magistrate Lot Moroka last Friday.

Moroka ordered that the men be put in custody pending the case, which is set to be heard by the High Court in Lobatse in due course.

According to the particulars of the case, the four men, 'on or about 13th of May 2009, at or near Moonland Shopping Complex in Gaborone, acting together and in concert murdered John Kalafatis'.