Accused police killer heads for trial
Larona Makhaiza | Monday July 31, 2023 06:00
Matsime faces a single count of murder after he allegedly brutally killed his police girlfriend Onkemetse Motiki (36) back in December last year when everyone was in celebratory mode during festive season.
Motiki met her untimely demise after she was stabbed with a sharp object in broad daylight.
Matsime has been remanded in custody ever since and was denied bail on numerous times. On Tuesday this week, State Prosecutor Monametsi Koakae who was appearing for the State revealed that the investigations for the murder case have been wrapped up. He also disclosed that the committal process have been wrapped up. “We would like to request this status hearing be turned into committal hearing because we have done everything on our side and the committal has been wrapped up,” Koakae told the court.
Koakae stated that the committal warrant has also been submitted to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). He further stated that investigations have been closed as the investigative officer has gathered all the evidence they need for trial. “Investigations are done. We have collected the list of all the witness and recorded their statements. We have also received forensic reports from forensics,” he said.
There are 11 State witnesses in the matter. They will be expected to take the stand once the trial at the High Court commences. The State prosecutor also told the presiding Magistrate Goratile Moremi-Ramakoloi that the State has also served the accused.
“We served the accused with all the documents, the witnesses’ statements and the forensic reports,” Koakae said. After apprising the court of the latest matters concerning the case, Koakae echoed that the case now heads to trial. “We request that the case goes to trial at the High Court now that the accused has also been indicted,” he said.
Magistrate Moremi-Ramakoloi questioned Matsime on whether everything that the State prosecutor said is true. “Is it true that you have seen all the statements of all the witnesses that have just been listed to you and if so do you have anything to say before the court?” she asked.
Responding to magistrate’s question, Matsime affirmed what the state prosecutor had said. He however seized on the opportunity to speak his mind as he always does. “Yes it is true, I have all the papers with me but I would like to also have the committal warrant given to me,” Matsime pleaded.
Moremi-Ramakoloi assured Matsime that he will get one once it had been wrapped up by the state. Matsime however did not want to settle for that as he fought for a specific date when will he get the committal warrant.
While waiting for the trial dates, the accused is putting all his hopes on the committal warrant for him to apply for bail once more before the High Court now that the investigations have been closed. Magistrate Moremi-Ramakoloi committed the accused to the High Court after hearing from both the accused and the state prosecutor. “The accused person is committed to the High Court to stand trial and he shall be remanded in custody until the High Court grants him bail,” said the presiding magistrate.