Cop Murder Suspects Further Remanded

Pini Bothoko | Monday August 28, 2017 16:49

 

The six face two counts of murder and armed robbery. Thuto Motseothata, 22, Buru Motseothata, 26, Lore Morentlwa (27), Karabo Kowa, 26, Tsaone Motswetla, 25 and Thato Lesela, 28 appeared before the Village Principal Magistrate, Goodwill Makofi. Keitumetse Elang for the state pleaded with the court to further remand the suspects as investigations on the matter were still new.

“We have not yet interviewed all of our witnesses hence pleading for further remand all of the suspects so that we can conclude our investigations. We have managed to record statements from three witnesses and yet to interview three more witnesses,” Elang prayed. She feared that if granted bail, the suspects might interfere with their investigations, especially from the witnesses they are yet to record statements from.She warned that the suspects have committed a sensitive offence. She stated that the matter is also still fresh in the society’s memory and the deceased’s family hence fearing for the suspects’ harm.

“It can be risky for the suspects to be seen walking freely in the public two weeks after being linked to such a sensitive offence,” Elang said, pleading with court to further remand them in custody for at least a month. She stated that the Motseothata’s had initially told the prosecution that they would engage attorneys, but have since not contacted them concerning that issue. Asked if they have anything to say, Thuto pleaded with court to grant him bail. He also revealed that three of the men were innocent and have not committed anything that links them to the offence.

“It is not your duty to help the prosecution to establish their investigations. Mind you, such alterations can be used against you. Those are matters of trial. We are not yet at that stage where you can reveal such information. Today the issue at hand is your bail. The court does not want to know if you have committed the offence or not,” Makofi said, interruptingThuto.

Buru pleaded for bail saying he cooperated with the police and told them everything that transpired that night and he is the one who handed himself to the police. Morentlwa shared the same sentiments with his co-accused that he was innocent and has been cooperating with the police all along, hence pleading for bail. Kowa also pleaded for bail stating that he was home that fateful night and does not know anything about the offence he is charged with.“I am surprised that despite having told the police the truth and where I was that night, I am still in custody and it appears that the police do not have intentions of releasing me,” Kowa said.

Other suspects pleaded with the court to grant them bail saying they have been cooperating with the police in their investigations. Makofi instructed the  prosecution to avail the investigating officer in the matter at the next court appearance to appraise court on the progress of their investigations. “Despite being faced with a serious offence ,the suspects’ liberty is currently limited. It’s been two weeks since the suspects have been arraigned, hence have the right to apply for bail,” Makofi said.

It is alleged that on August 11 at Domboshaba Bar Block 8, Gaborone, acting together in concert and with common purpose, armed with knife and bricks, they robbed Sergeant Basimane Binikwa of a silver Huawei cellphone valued at P2,500 and fled the scene in a Honda Fit car. It was reported that the accused allegedly dragged the deceased out of his car, hit him with bricks on his head before he was stabbed with knife.