Accused serial rapist Gomolemo Loeto, 36, has accused police of not following protocol before the Extension II Magistrates' Court after the prosecution alleged that he is hellbent against giving investigators his blood sample for forensic testing.
Appearing before court today, Prosecutor Simon Galebonwe stated that the investigations in the cases involving the accused are dragging, as he is not willing to cooperate with them.
“The accused was supposed to have blood extracted for DNA testing and I was informed that when the investigating officer went to prison to proceed with that, he turned them down,” Galebonwe said.
The state turned to the presiding Magistrate Keabetswe Majuta to aid in getting the accused to comply by issuing an order.
“We want the court to order that the accused's blood be extracted so that should he refuse he be held in contempt of the court order,” he said.
Surprised by the state’s submissions, Magistrate Majuta asked the accused what could be the problem with providing his blood sample.
“I thought he was not opposing to his blood being extracted at all and I want to understand what happened Loeto (accused)?” asked the magistrate.
Responding to the magistrate’s probing, Loeto quashed all allegations alluding to his refusal to provide his blood sample, highlighting that protocol was not followed on the day.
“When they came to me there were no papers that proved that I was going to have my blood extracted, not even a doctor's note and most importantly a consent form. So my question to them was what was going to be the evidence that it is my blood that was going to be tested,” he asked.
Following Loeto’s response, Magistrate Majuta implored the state to follow the right channels and ensure that the accused does provide his blood sample.
“I want us to try again and this time around let it be done right,” magistrate ordered.
Loeto is facing a total of three counts of rape before Extension II Magistrates' Court. He is suspected to be a serial rapist that has had him on the police radar for close to 20 rape cases in Ramotswa. It is alleged he could be linked to the cases given the manner of how similar the patterns were as per the investigating officer, Tiboni Lucas.
The case continues on April 29 for status update.
“The accused was supposed to have blood extracted for DNA testing and I was informed that when the investigating officer went to prison to proceed with that, he turned them down,” Galebonwe said.
The state turned to the presiding Magistrate Keabetswe Majuta to aid in getting the accused to comply by issuing an order.
“We want the court to order that the accused's blood be extracted so that should he refuse he be held in contempt of the court order,” he said.
Surprised by the state’s submissions, Magistrate Majuta asked the accused what could be the problem with providing his blood sample.
“I thought he was not opposing to his blood being extracted at all and I want to understand what happened Loeto (accused)?” asked the magistrate.
Responding to the magistrate’s probing, Loeto quashed all allegations alluding to his refusal to provide his blood sample, highlighting that protocol was not followed on the day.
“When they came to me there were no papers that proved that I was going to have my blood extracted, not even a doctor's note and most importantly a consent form. So my question to them was what was going to be the evidence that it is my blood that was going to be tested,” he asked.
Following Loeto’s response, Magistrate Majuta implored the state to follow the right channels and ensure that the accused does provide his blood sample.
“I want us to try again and this time around let it be done right,” magistrate ordered.
Loeto is facing a total of three counts of rape before Extension II Magistrates' Court. He is suspected to be a serial rapist that has had him on the police radar for close to 20 rape cases in Ramotswa. It is alleged he could be linked to the cases given the manner of how similar the patterns were as per the investigating officer, Tiboni Lucas.
The case continues on April 29 for status update.
