Charges dropped against alleged deaf murderer

Lindiwe Mozola | Thursday October 5, 2017 18:55

Magistrate Gofaone Morwaeng ordered the prosecutor, sergeant Ditsapelo Emmanuel to make the application due to the case’s slow progress. The accused, who is deaf, was originally arraigned last October.

Morwaeng said he was concerned at the snail’s pace of murder cases, which was causing backlogs in the system.

He said in this particular case the accused was someone with a special need for a sign language interpreter. The interpreter was spending her time coming to court only to “dance to the same tune of the prosecution”.

“Who will account for the interpreter’s expenses of coming here every time in vain?

“Moreover, what is the use for you Emmanuel to come here everyday while there is nothing new you are bringing to the court?

“This shows lack of prudence in what you are doing. It has been months coming here just to tell the court that the matter is with the station commander. I believe it is your duty to make sure that they rush with whatever they are doing because at the end of the day we expect answers from you. I therefore want you to make an application to withdraw this case until you are ready to proceed,” he said. Emmanuel told the court that his superiors were yet to compile a report on the matter and it was beyond his authority to make an informed decision as to when the case could proceed.

“The case is before my boss to compile the report and hence my hands are tied. I cannot determine when they will be done but I pray that they may be called before this court to clear up the delay,” he said.

The accused is charged with one count of murder and two counts of unlawful wounding.

Lentswe is alleged to have murdered his two-year-old nephew and wounded his sister on October 16, 2016. He is also alleged to have wounded his mother above the right eye with a shovel.