Block 8 Residents Threaten Cop Killers
Pini Bothoko | Monday September 11, 2017 16:14
Thuto Motseothata (22), Buru Motseothata (26), Lore Morentlwa (27), Karabo Kowa (26), Tsaone Motswetla (25) and Thato Lesela (28) are facing murder and armed robbery charges.
It is alleged that on August 11 at Block 8 Domboshaba Bar in Gaborone, acting together in concert and with common purpose armed with a knife and bricks, the six accused persons robbed Sergeant Basimane Binikwa a silver Huawei cellphone valued at P2,500 and fled the scene in a Honda Fit car.
It is reported that on that fateful night, the accused allegedly dragged the deceased out of his car, hit him with bricks on his head before one of them stabbed him with a knife.
The accused persons appeared for mention on Friday before Village Principal Magistrate Goodwill Makofi.
The investigating officer (IO) in the matter, Tonny Kgolagano told court that they once took the suspects to the scene of crime and the residents vowed that if they are released on bail, they will personally deal with them.
He said that the indignant residents raised concerns that it was common for suspects to be seen roaming freely shortly after their arrest like they have done nothing wrong after committing serious offences.
“The dejected residents told the police that they have been living in fear out of the accused person’s perturbing behaviour.
They promised that if they could be released on bail they would surely take the law into their hands. I fear for their lives if they could get bail following resident’s threats,” Kgolagano said.
The IO pleaded with court to further remand them in custody for at least three more months in order for the residents to cool down because they have committed a sensitive offence of murder.
He also revealed to have contacted the deceased’s family who are still angry something that also put the accused’s lives at risk.
Asked if they have something to say, all of the accused persons pleaded for bail. Thuto pleaded with court to grant him bail saying he will go straight to Moshupa, his home village, where it will be hard for Block 8 residents to locate him. Kowa was adamant that he was innocent, as he was home on the fateful night.
“I am surprised that despite having been told by my fellow accused persons that I was not around that night, even today I am still in custody.
I am pleading with this court to grant me bail,” Kowa said. For his part, Motswetla pleaded with the court to grant him bail on assurance that the police, as their mandate, would protect him against mob justice. Sharing the same sentiments with their core-accused, other suspects pleaded with the court to grant them bail saying they have been cooperating with investigations.