'Knobkerrie murder' trial continues
Lebogang Mosikare | Tuesday February 13, 2018 15:08
The investigating officer, detective sub-inspector Isaac Molefhi told the court that he started knowing the accused, Golelamang Selang after he was arrested by some of his colleagues in relation to the murder of Dikaelo Bapoga.
Molefhi said Selang allegedly assaulted Bapoga on the head with a knobkerrie on May 17, 2013 at Mopipi village.
“Bapoga was found dead in his hut on May 29, 2013. Upon arrival at his hut, I found the door closed. I used a shovel to force the door open. A putrid smell was coming from the hut… I later interviewed some eyewitnesses who told me that the accused assaulted the deceased with a knobkerrie on the head. I confronted the accused and he did not deny assaulting the deceased,” Molefhi said.
Molefhi added that he later asked Selang to give him the knobkerrie that he used to hit the deceased with and he did that before taking him to the district commissioner to make a confession statement.
Asked by the defence attorney, Tshedukani Elija if he confirmed finding the door of the deceased’s hut locked, Selang answered in the affirmative.
Elija also asked Molefhi why there was inconsistency in the evidence that was given by the first prosecution witness, Rona Maile and what he just told the court.
Maile had previously told the court that she and two others opened the deceased’s hut after becoming suspicious because they did not see him for some days after he was assaulted and because of the foul smell coming out of his hut.
In reply Molefhi said that he was not aware that Maile said she and other people opened the door of the deceased’s hut.
He maintained that he was the one who forced opened the hut’s door using a shovel.
Molefhi added that from his investigations, he does not suspect that anyone could have been inside the hut with Bapoga before he was found dead.
The case will continue on August 8, 2018 with the pathologist expected to give evidence.
Kebegetswe Reed represented the state in the matter.