Suspected Murderers Denied Bail
Tumelo Mouwane | Monday November 13, 2017 16:10
The duo, David Thabang Sibanda (24) Otlhomame Setshwano (26) are alleged to have waylaid the woman at her Botoka ward residence as she came out from an outside toilet into her house and tied her hands and the back, stuffed her mouth with a piece of cloth before proceeding to interchangeably rape the woman.
On count two, the state alleges that the duo went on to murder the woman before hiding her corpse under a heap of clothes where she was found lifeless on September 4, two days after the incident. Investigating officers in the case later revealed that Sibanda was found in possession of the deceased persons house keys and cellphones. Sibanda made a confession before court on the first court appearance.
Holding brief for Sergeant Boitumelo Chinyenge, Woodhall police station based public prosecutor, sergant Motsholathebe Kooneng asked for further incarceration of the two men citing that investigations are still ongoing.
“Investigations into the case are still ongoing and my instructions are to extend the accused persons’ remand in custody following their bail refusal by the court,” Kooneng said. The first accused, Sibanda said he needed bail since he “has been in custody for too long”.
“I need bail; we have been in custody for too long now and the prosecutors have on several occasions told us the investigations are still ongoing,” Sibanda said.
His co-accused Setshwano said he was still in shock as to why the court refused him bail whilst there was nothing that links him to the crime.
“I don’t know what’s happening. I am lost; my life is mixed up by this case of which I don’t know anything about. My girlfriend was pregnant when I was incarcerated and she is suffering outside there in her maternity room without my assistance. I also need to go out there and look for an attorney because this case is just way too complex. I need bail,” he said.
Dipate noted that the duo had been denied bail by a different magistrate, hence he could not make any further adjustments.
“You have been denied bail by a different magistrate and I cannot make any further ruling. You can apply to the High Court for bail, or rather, present a new application with complete change of circumstances,” he said. Earlier this month, magistrate Onkarabile Mokone denied the duo bail. The case will mention on November 23.
mal>“You have been denied bail by a different magistrate and I cannot make any further ruling. You can apply to the High Court for bail, or rather, present a new application with complete change of circumstances,” he said. Earlier this month, magistrate Onkarabile Mokone denied the duo bail. The case will mention on November 23.