Prosecution fears for double murder accused�s life
Pini Bothoko | Thursday October 19, 2017 16:52
Yesterday at the Broadhurst Magistrates Court, family members of the deceased packed the courtroom to the rafters in a show of solidarity that apparently spooked the prosecution.
State prosecutor, Onkemetse Modukanele pleaded with Magistrate Gaseitsewe Tonoki's court not to consider granting Phadisa bail because doing so might put his life in danger. “The matter is still fresh in the minds of the community. The accused person faces serious offences of double murder which to date are still fresh in the minds of the deceased’s family. Today as you can see, the courtroom is fully-packed. I suspect majority of these people are the deceased’s family members. I suspect that their turn up might be a reflection that they are still fuming about the accused’ person’s actions,” Modukanele said. Modukanele went on to say that the prosecution is still waiting for a postmortem report from the pathologist.
“We have not yet received the postmortem report of both deceased from the pathologist. Some samples have been taken to the forensic lab for analysis and we have not yet received the report, hence pleading with court not to grant the accused bail until we have received both reports,” Modukanele said. However, Phadisa pleaded with magistrate Tonoki to grant him bail, promising not to interfere with the investigations. He told the court that he has a place where he could stay whilst on bail where the deceased’s family members cannot pose any danger to him.
“In my previous appearance, I pleaded guilty to the offence before the court could have granted me that opportunity because I was scared as I was arrested at gun point,” Phadisa said.
Magistrate Tonoki advised Phadisa that he is faced with two counts of murder committed about 18 days ago. “The matter is still fresh in the deceased’s family members and seeing you roaming the streets a few days after you are alleged to have committed such sensitive offences, they might be tempered to take the law into their hands,” Tonoki said.
Tonoki stated that looking at the gravity of the offence and the possible sentence, the accused person might also skip bail.
The court heard that on Independence day, Phadisa murdered Bembe Magosi and Gomolemo Motladile at Phiring location in Broadhurst by stabbing them to death with a knife.
The prosecution previously told the court that it is alleged that Phadisa was in a love relationship with Motladile but not knowing what could have caused their misunderstanding and led to the horrific acts of killing her and her mother.
Phadisa is due in court on November 1 for another mention.