FRANCISTOWN: In a harrowing act, a 58-year-old man appeared in court today (Tuesday) for allegedly striking his 59-year-old girlfriend to death with a fist.
According to the charge sheet, Kopelo Mokaloba allegedly murdered Kelebogile Kgatso by hitting her on the head with a fist on January 2, 2025, in Kachikau ward in Nata. Mokaloba allegedly murdered Kgatso during an alcohol-fuelled frenzy in a shebeen. Prosecutor Inspector Oteng Oneilwe told the court that investigations in the matter were still fresh. “We are opposed to bail because investigations in this matter are ongoing. Unfortunately, the Investigations Officer (IO) is not before court because he is attending a post-mortem session at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital,” Oneilwe said.
Asked if he had anything to say, Mokaloba pleaded with the court to grant him bail, saying that he would stop drinking alcohol once he was given bail. However, Principal Magistrate Tshepo Magetse acceded to the application made by the state to remand Mokaloba in custody. “The accused has admitted that he committed this offence whilst drunk in a shebeen. Alcohol consumption is one of the major causes of death in Botswana. Whilst the accused assures the court that he will stop drinking alcohol if released on bail, his statement is not foolproof. If released on bail, the accused may continue drinking alcohol, which may put the lives of other members of society at risk and anger the family of the deceased, who are still mourning. Granting the accused bail under the circumstances will not be in the interests of the society and justice system. In fact, it may cause members of society to lose confidence in the justice system. The accused is therefore remanded in custody,” said Magetse.
Asked if he had anything to say, Mokaloba pleaded with the court to grant him bail, saying that he would stop drinking alcohol once he was given bail. However, Principal Magistrate Tshepo Magetse acceded to the application made by the state to remand Mokaloba in custody. “The accused has admitted that he committed this offence whilst drunk in a shebeen. Alcohol consumption is one of the major causes of death in Botswana. Whilst the accused assures the court that he will stop drinking alcohol if released on bail, his statement is not foolproof. If released on bail, the accused may continue drinking alcohol, which may put the lives of other members of society at risk and anger the family of the deceased, who are still mourning. Granting the accused bail under the circumstances will not be in the interests of the society and justice system. In fact, it may cause members of society to lose confidence in the justice system. The accused is therefore remanded in custody,” said Magetse.
