Fresh woes for murder-accused soldiers lestimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lestimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Soldiers’ murder trial date set
Mohalenyane Phakela
THE trial of 10 soldiers accused of murdering three Maseru civilians in 2017 will begin on 23 March 2021 despite their pending Constitutional Court application for a permanent stay of proceedings.
Botswana Judge, Onkemetse Tshosa, who is presiding over the matter, on Tuesday set down 12 March 2021 as the pre-trial conference date. Justice Tshosa also said the actual trial will be held from 23 to 26 March and resume on 6 April 2021.
The 10 soldiers are Brigadier Rapele Mphaki, Major Pitso Ramoepane, Sergeant Lekhooa Moepi, Captain Mahlehle Moeletsi, Lance Corporal Mahlomola Makhoali, Private Nthatakane Motanyane, Motšoane Machai, Tieho Tikiso, Liphapang Sefako and Nemase Faso.
Murder-accused soldiers at it again Murder-accused soldiers at it again
allegedly blow money meant for legal fees on Christmas shopping.
Mohalenyane Phakela
FIVE murder-accused soldiers accused of killing three Mafeteng civilians in 2012, on Friday came up with another bizarre argument as they continued with their war of attrition aimed at frustrating their trial.
During their court appearance, the five who have already rejected a
pro deo (state-sponsored) lawyer, pleaded with Botswana Judge Onkemetse Tshosa to postpone their trial to April 2021 to give them time to save money to hire lawyers of their choice.
They argued that they had run out of money as they had prioritised buying their children clothes and other Christmas gifts over paying for legal representation.
Justice Tshosa to decide Metsing, Mochoboroane fate lestimes.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from lestimes.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Kamoli handed freedom boost by Justice Sakoane
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Mohalenyane Phakela
TREASON and murder-accused former army commander, Lieutenant General Tlali Kamoli, and his co-accused soldiers have been handed a boost by Chief Justice Sakoane Sakoane in their bid for freedom.
This after Justice Sakoane last Thursday questioned why they were still detained without being tried for treason and the murder of Police Sub-Inspector Mokheseng Ramahloko in apparent violation of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act which states that suspects should be tried within six months of their indictment or be freed.
Acting on the chief justice’s remarks, Lt-Gen Kamoli and his co-accused lawyers on Friday announced their intention to file a High Court application for their release. They intend to file the application on 26 January 2021. The application will be heard by Botswana Judge Onkemetse Tshosa and it will be premised on the grounds that they have not been tried within a reasonable time.