Jack�s Gym manager in court for robbery

Bonte Seepi | Friday April 10, 2015 14:13

 

He appeared with his co-accused, Motlhabane Beleme and Mosimanegape Magapatona, who reside in Palapye and Shoshong respectively.

The three are accused of entering the premises of the Department of Immigration in Palapye in January and stealing 4x4 R16 vehicle wheels valued at P20,000.

It is said they threatened one Molatlhegi Sebolao with a knife before forcibly obtaining the wheels from him at the office.

The prosecutor, Sergeant Dithapelo Emmanuel from Palapye police station said investigations are still ongoing in the matter and that a suspect is still on the run.

“Police investigations are still ongoing in the matter and the investigating officer did not manage to arrest another suspect.

The officer just recovered exhibit wheels and we are still waiting for the other witness from the Department of Immigration to identify the wheels,” Emmanuel said.

The prosecutor told the court that he had no problem with the accused being granted bail, so long as they pay P1,000 each as surety and produce two Batswana sureties who shall also bind themselves with the same amount. Emmanuel said the accused must be available in court whenever they are needed.

Earlier, attorney Neo Mpofu who represented Mooketsi argued that the amount should be reduced to P500 saying P1,000 was too steep.

“Let us not punish the sureties for something that they did not do. I think P1,000 is too steep for them so I plead for the amount to be reduced to P500,” said Mpofu.

But the magistrate, Thapelo Buang, said P1,000 was reasonable to ensure the accused always appeared in court. The accused were granted bail and will appear in court again on May 11 for mention. 

In another matter, a 26-year-old Zimbabwean man appeared before magistrate Gofaone Mosweu to face a charge of assault.

It is alleged that Martin Sibanda, a labourer at a farm at Makoro lands and two others who are still on the run, assaulted 66-year-old Kutlwano Keinametswe causing her serious injuries.

The magistrate denied the accused bail after the prosecutor, Sergeant Dithapelo Emmanuel pleaded with the court to remand him in custody to give the State a chance to complete investigations and to arrest the other suspects. The victim, Keinametswe, is still hospitalised at Mahalapye Hospital in the Intensive Care Unit.

The accused will appear in court for mention on April 22, 2015.