Kalafatis case reaches High Court

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Tuesday June 22, 2010 00:00

The highly publicised case made its debut before Regional Magistrate Lot Moroka two months back. Mmegi understand that the case was finally registered at Lobatse High Court yesterday but is yet to be allocated to a judge. In the case, BDF corporals Dzikamani Mothobi, Goitsemang Sechele, Ronny Matako and Boitshoko Maifala are accused of murdering John Kalafatis on May 13, 2009 at or near Moonland Shopping Complex in Gaborone.

Last April, the four men were brought before Moroka in one of the most anticipated cases to ever be brought before the magistrate. If convicted, the men face the death sentence. Initially, they were remanded in custody after committal. However, they are out on bail pending trial. Justice David Newman of the High Court granted the four men bail on conditions that:

*they provide two sureties of P10, 000 each;*be liable for P10, 000 recognisance;   *attend court proceedings without fail; and*do not interfere with witnesses or investigations and that they reside at their recorded residences.

The four have been asked to surrender their travel documents to the Extension Two Magistrate's Court and to report to the Central Police Station every Friday.

The state is expected to call 21 witnesses.Assistant Director of Prosecutions, Kabo Leinaeng is handling the case assisted by Ambrose Mubika, while Phadza Kgalemang is the defence counsel.