Police officer murder trial resumes

Portia Mlilo
UNDER ESCORT: Police Murder Suspects

Trial of the five armed robbers accused of the murder of Kanye Sejelo Police Constable Focus Isaiah’s resumed last Thursday before Judge Zein Kebonang.

Isaiah was attending a robbery incident near Mmakgodumo dam when he was shot down by armed robbers.

Court heard that the five accused persons Evans Mhiwatiwa, Gaofenngwe Lovy Seitiso, Thuso Moses, Mayibongwe Moyo, Patrick Mpale and the other not before court, on about the 29th of January at or near Matlhala ward in Kanye acting jointly with common purpose, robbed Rosherville cash loan.

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It is alleged the five stole P87 064,00 in cash, Samsung laptop and Toyota Allex car valued at P40 000,00.

Immediately or before such robbery they threatened to use violence against the employees of Rosherville by pointing pistols at them to overcome resistance.

On the second count, the accused persons robbed Kabelo Golekanye, Masego Molebatsi, Kegomoditswe Ratladi, being employees of Rosherville of their cellphones.

On another count, the accused persons on the 29th of January 2015 near Makgodumo dam in Kanye shot and injured Focus Isaiah who died on the 2nd of February in 2015.

On the fifth count, the five accused persons acting jointly together in concert,attempted unlawfully to cause the death of Phalanyane Kenosi.

On the seventh count, the accused were found in possession of Bernadelli-Cardone pistol and Star pistol without arms licences issued under the act.

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On the eighth count, the accused being persons not exempted to possess ammunition had in their possession one live round of 9×17 mm hollow point ammunition and five live 9×19 mm round nose type of ammunition without a licence.

On the ninth count, accused person Moyo on or about the 26th of January 2015, at or near Ramokgwebana village entered Botswana at an ungazetted point of entry.

State witness Obusitswe Taolo who is also the second accused Seitiso’s brother in law, said on the day of the incident, Seitiso came to his house with seven unknown men. He said he asked him if the traditional doctor residing behind Kgwakgwe was around.

DECEASED: Constable Focus
DECEASED: Constable Focus

“I asked him what happened and he said they had knocked a man down with a car and suspected he died on the spot. He told me he wanted to leave the car at my yard. The following day I received a call from my sister informing me that Seitiso was detained and linked to robbery and murder of a police officer,” said Taolo

State is expected to bring 27 witnesses. Judge Kebonang advised the state Prosecutor Kamogelo Maleke to cut the number down to size to accommodate only witnesses who speak to the case.

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