Police Nab Teen Killer Suspect

Lebogang Baingapi | Monday November 27, 2017 16:23

Boresetse, who died four days after he was attacked at the age of 19, completed his BGCSE examinations at Moshupa Senior Secondary School early this month.

Last week, the police arrested 37-year-old Benjamin Magosi, and arraigned him before court charged with the murder.  Magosi was remanded in custody.

Boresetse’s body was found unconscious in the early morning of November 19 and at that time the police could not confirm whether he was part of the Matsetsenkane group, or was an innocent victim. The investigating officer (IO), detective Constable Otshedile Popo applied for the accused to be remanded in custody to allow for further investigations. He said the case involves many people and the accused had started threatening potential witnesses.

“I am yet to record statements from the accused’s friends and the deceased’s parents as well as the children who were there at the club where the accused allegedly hit Boresetse with a softball bat. The case is the most difficult one because it involves the accused’s closest friends and it took us almost a week to identify the suspect.

The witnesses fear the accused, and they asked police to assure them of their safety. Many anonymous potential witnesses have been calling the police station reporting that they want to record statements but they fear the accused,” Popo said.

Popo also used the accused’s safety concerns as an advantage, asking the court to remand him in custody after he allegedly reported a threat-to-kill case against him. Popo countered that the remand will relieve the police of the duty to escort the accused every time.

Magosi argued that he was allocated a police officer to escort him every time, but Popo countered, explaining that the said officer stays in Unit 2 while the accused lives in Unit 3 and furthermore, that it will relieve the said officer to continue with other duties. Though Magosi vowed not to interfere with police investigations, Popo highlighted that the offence committed was a serious one where a young life has been taken.

The prosecutor, Edwin Supang also submitted that the offence carries a possible death penalty if convicted, and it is possible for the accused not to stand trial if granted bail.

“The case has attracted public interest and statements are yet to be recorded from a series of witnesses.  The accused‘s life is in danger as he alleges and it will be fair to remand him for his safety and allow finalisation of investigations,” Supang said. Magistrate Segametsi Basinyi agreed with the prosecution and remanded Magosi until he appears again on December 5.