Accused cable thieves granted bail

OARABILE MOSIKARE
Correspondent | Friday May 25, 2007 00:00

According to the prosecution, Kganetso Pitse, Gwilidzani Pitse, Baisana Muzonda, Tafanana Pitse, Shanganani Kealotswe and Alvin Kealotswe, between April 1 and 30 April 2007, at Sebina village together with common purpose stole two 100 by 0.63 copper cables being the property of BTC valued at P117 600.

All six entered a plea of not guilty.

During mention of the case, prosecutor, Inspector David Ramoseki, engaged in a war of words with defence counsel, Phazha Kgalemang, a senior partner at Kgalemang, Sechele and Associates. Kgalemang is representing the Pitse brothers in the matter.

This was after Ramoseki applied for withdrawal of the matter without prejudice. Initially the two Pitses, Kganetso and Gwilidzani, together with Muzonda, were called first to the accused stand without the three other accused, hence Ramoseki made his application for withdrawal.

'The reasons being that we want them to be jointly charged with the three other accused persons. The matter should be reinstated with the three other accused persons,' submitted Ramoseki.

Kgalemang stood up to assist Ramoseki. 'His application is not a procedure known in the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act (CPEA),' Kgalemang submitted.

His submission prompted the offended Ramoseki to shout back: 'My Worship, I'm aware of the CPEA. Kgalemang has no reason to say that to me. This court has to protect me. What he has said is all about attacking my character.'

Hamoonga cooled the rising tempers by advising the prosecutor that he should have asked for substitution instead of withdrawal of the matter.

On the magistrate's advice the three other accused persons were called to the stand for a joint charge with the first three alleged partners. 

Ramoseki submitted that the investigations were complete and that the case would be referred to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) for prosecution.

He also said he did not object to bail for the six.

Hamoonga adjourned the case to June 22 for mention in the Masunga Magistrate Court and granted all accused persons bail on recognisance of P2,000 each.