Suspects In Cab Driver Murder Plead For Bail
Pini Bothoko | Monday December 4, 2017 17:08
The duo appeared before Broadhurst Magistrate, Gennai Johnson, on Friday facing two counts of murder and robbery.
Representing the State, Tsogo Rantopa told the court that on first the count it is alleged that the accused persons on November 29, 2017 at Mogoditshane village acting jointly and in concert, murdered Moemedi Ranthoka.
He said on the second count it is alleged that the accused persons on November 29, 2017, at Mogoditshane village acting jointly and in concert, robbed Ranthoka of a silver Toyota Vitz valued at P17,000 and P1,326.50 in cash and at or immediately before or after the time of such robbery, did use personal violence on the said Ranthoka.
Given the opportunity to respond to prosecutors’ pleas for the court not to grant them bail, the accused persons surprised the court by pleading with Johnson to grant them bail.
“I am pleading for bail because I have a three-year-old baby to look after,” Kgogo said.
“Do you have any family members present before court today? If yes, they will look after your child in the meantime,” Johnson said.
Rantopa had earlier pleaded with the court not to grant the accused persons bail, stating that investigations into the matter were still at initial stages as the offence was only committed ‘two days ago’. He said the accused persons have committed a serious offence of murder, which is still fresh in the minds of the community as well as the deceased’s family members, and they are likely to pose danger to the accused persons if granted bail.
“The accused person are facing an offence of murder, which its sentence can be capital punishment, hence the need for the State to be given enough time to carry out its investigations. We have not yet informed all of the deceased’s family members about the incident. The police also have to locate possible witnesses and interview them,” Rantopa said. He went on to inform the court that postmortem of the deceased has not yet been conducted.
“I am therefore pleading with the court not to grant the accused persons bail as they can interfere with the investigations that are still at initial stage. I am pleading with the court not to grant the accused persons bail and remand them in custody until at a later stage where they be given the opportunity to apply for bail,” Rantopa said. The duo is due in court on December 14 for mention.