Palapye seven murder accused get bail

Koketso Kgoboge | Wednesday January 31, 2018 17:28

 

Mooketsi Malema, 17, Christopher Olekanye, 16, Simon Oageng, 19, Emmanuel Elias, 20, Obonetse Mophaleng, 22, Tshware Kebiditswe, 27, and Opelo Matsawe, 18, of Palapye are accused of murdering Jambo at Thomadithotse ward on January 26, 2018.

The seven accused appeared before Palapye Magistrate’s Court where the prosecutor, David Buyanga said the investigating officer was absent attending to the post-mortem of the deceased. He pleaded with the court to issue a remand warrant for the seven accused, but magistrate Gofaone Morwaeng refused.

This was because Buyanga had failed to tell Morwaeng which court issued or extended the remand of arrest warrant for the accused that were kept in custody for over 48 hours since their arrest.

Morwaeng said with the police having arrested the accused on varying days and failing to account to who extended the remand warrants of those who have been detained for over specified periods and with the absence of the investigations officer he refused the application.

He granted the accused bail on conditions that they each pay P3,000 and each provide two adult Batswana sureties who will also pay P3,000. They are prohibited from any form of communication or contact with the prosecution witnesses and not commit any offence while on bail. The seven are expected to attend court at all times unless with reasonable grounds they cannot.

The matter is set for status hearing on February 15, 2018.