Tight bail conditions for arsonist

Tumelo Mouwane | Wednesday August 23, 2017 16:19

 

Sub inspector Legodile Sennafela said Helman Caster, who is accused of stealing electronic gadgets worth P350,000 at Betta Beef Farms and setting the farm ablaze on July 6, 2017, will have to involve his biological parents as sureties.

Sennafela said the investigating officer in this case had been on leave but he resumed duty on Monday and he is yet to continue with investigations. We are considering admitting the accused on bail, but strict conditions must be attached. “The officer is yet to locate the biological parents of the accused who are said to be in a place called Khwai near Maun. We want the parents to sign in oath that they will account if the accused fails to appear before court,” he said.

The accused said he wanted to be admitted on bail on reasons that he wants to secure an attorney. “I am still seeking bail. I want to go out there and seek legal representation in this matter. I also have some properties which I left in a rented house when I was arrested. I am afraid that I might lose my property or I might be brought by the same people to court demanding their payments,” Caster said.

Sennafela said the accused could have been admitted on bail immediately but the issue was that he once tried to escape from police custody something that made the police lose trust on him.

“We have a problem with admitting the accused person on bail immediately. He is not trustworthy as he once tried to evade police custody and he was arrested near Kgale hills. That is the reason why we want strict bail conditions,” he said.  The accused was subsequently remanded in custody until September 5. In another matter, trial was yesterday set for November 21 in a case in which a 24-year-old Lobatse man Onkemetse Bagoreng faces two counts of sexually molesting a minor and raping an under aged girl.

The state alleges that Bagoreng (24), forcefully had sexual intercourse with a six-year-old minor near Woodhall One ward in Lobatse without her consent on May 3, 2017. The offence is alleged to have been committed with violence.

The accused also stands charged with an offence allegedly committed in 2011 where a 14-year-old girl was allegedly raped in Mmathethe. The case was registered in 2011 and withdrawn later because accused had absconded. The case was reinstated recently after the accused was arrested for the recent alleged offence.

The accused was remanded in custody and will appear on September 5 for mention.