Though the alleged serial rapist Gomolemo Loeto (36) has been advised to apply for withdrawal of the case with liberty to reinstate following his permanent stay application, his trial is set to commence tomorrow.
Loeto is suspected to be a serial rapist in close to 20 rape cases that were reported in Ramotswa, as they have the same modus operandi. He is currently charged with three counts of rape, with the likelihood of increasing the count to a possible 20.
Appearing before Extension II Magistrate Court today, the State revealed that Loeto’s trial was set to commence today but with the substantive Magistrate away, prosecutions asked that it be moved to tomorrow.
“My instructions are that this case was supposed to go for trial today but since the Magistrate (Keabetswe Majuta) is not here so may the case be postponed to tomorrow,” pleaded Simon Galebonwe of the State.
Asked if he has anything to say by Chief Magistrate Kamogelo Mmesi, Loeto this time around chose silence and did not voice any objections.
With the accused not saying anything over the postponement of the trial to tomorrow, Magistrate Mmesi postponed the matter to another day.
“The case will be postponed to tomorrow for commencement of trial before the substantive Magistrate,” she ordered.
Meanwhile, Loeto is set to return to court on October 6 for status update on his permanent stay application that he filed yesterday before Magistrate Mmesi.
