Passion killer gets 13 years

Sesupo Rantsimako
Correspondent | Friday March 26, 2010 00:00

The judge, Justice Moses Chinhengo said extenuating circumstances had been considered in giving sentence. He said the accused Mogogi Mmereki, had pleaded guilty to the charge, was a first offender and a breadwinner. Also the accused had four children with the deceased who would miss both parents.

He, however, said society is looking at the law to end the passion killings. 'The judgement passed should make the accused reform, and make sure that others do not commit the same offence,' he said.

Mmereki was advised on his right to appeal within six weeks of the day of sentence.  

The court heard that Mmereki was employed as an auto mechanic at HSM in Mogoditshane and had been in a relationship with the deceased, Francinah Mabeka since 1993, the two had four children together.

It is alleged that on the day before the murder, Mmereki and the deceased had a misunderstanding, which resulted in Mmereki going to seek help at the District Commissioner's office. It is reported that he never got assistance from the said office and then sought help from the deceased's cousin who allegedly dismissed him, saying he should go and resolve the matter with his partner.

It is further alleged that on the fateful night, of October 5, 2007, Mmereki went back to the deceased to try and reconcile with her but the deceased was not interested. It was then that Mmereki took out a knife from a cupboard and stabbed the deceased on the chest and at the back of her shoulder.

Mmalekgoa Marape, a witness who gave evidence in court, said one of the couple's children called her immediately after the incident and when she arrived she found the deceased in a pool of blood.

Another witness, Kebakgonne Marape told the court that she and Mmalekgoa took the deceased to Masedi clinic in Tonota and later reported the matter to the police. The accused was arrested on the following day in Gaborone. Mabeka was 32 years at the time of her death.

Mmereki was represented by Keitshegile Sechele of KK Attorneys.