Court to set trial dates for former Moeding students

Tumelo Mouwane | Tuesday August 22, 2017 16:58

 

Leatile Ntwaetsile, Martin Chico, Moyombuya Sipho, Arnold Botlhoko, Tefo Mmualefhe, Tshenolo Serame, Modisaotsile Moretele and Brian Motlhagatsane are alleged to have assembled immediately after their examinations last year and went on a rioting rampage. The accused persons are aged between 18 and 20 years.

The students are alleged to have broken 25 classroom windows, destroyed an unquantified number of plumbing pipes before proceeding to damage at least four doors at the boys’ hostel.

Meanwhile, a 24-year-old Lobatse man accused of setting fire to a farm property worth P3.5 million is today expected to apply for bail before chief magistrate Mareledi Dipate.

Helman Caster of Beetsha village has been in custody for over a month in connection with the incident. The accused allegedly burned the farm building worth P2,900,000 at Betta Beef Farms in Lobatse on the night of July 6. According to police, some other unspecified belongings were also burnt in the process and the total value losses were estimated at P3.5 million. Laptops, ipads and other electronic gadgets worth P350, 000 were allegedly stolen.

During a mention a fortnight ago, the state, through sub inspector Legodile Sennafela of Lobatse police station objected to the accused person’s prayer for bail.

Sennafela said investigators were yet to establish whether some of the missing items were burnt inside the house or in possession of the accused, a finding the prosecution is also expected to present before court today. On the other hand, Caster pleaded with court to release him in order to secure his property in a rented house.