A 2020 murder case in which former Department Broadcasting Service driver Gopolang Gabonatsela is accused of shooting to death Taolo Serapelano in 2020 is still pending committal as prosecution is yet to receive a post-mortem report of the deceased person from health authorities.
Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital Superintendent who was supposed to have submitted the report on Tuesday has failed to do so. The superintendent was on the previous mention ordered to ensure that the report is sent to the IO before the 22nd June 2023 or to appear before court on 4th July to give an explanation as to why it has not been received.
Appearing for status update before Maun Chief Magistrate Theebetsile Mulalu this week, the investigating officer of the case Nkape Nkape told court that he had liaised with the superintendent about the report but he has failed to submit it. According to him, the superintendent had on Tuesday indicated that he will not be able to appear before court as he was held at theatre.
For his part Mulalu postponed the status update to next week Tuesday (11th July) where the superintendent will explain why the post-mortem report was not delivered to prosecution. He indicated that since July 3rd was a holiday there might have been a delay of delivering the report.
Previously Maun Police CID Officer in charge, Assistant Superintendent Keotshwaretse Molathegi escaped jail by a whisker after Mulalu suspended a warrant of arrest he issued against her for being in contempt of a court order which ordered her furbish prosecution with a log book and amour certificate of the gun used. The CID office was however able to submit the said documents.
The accused person Gopolang Gabonatsela is facing a single count of murder after he allegedly killed Taolo Serapelano with a single bullet at the back of the head in 2020. The incident reportedly took place near Dauga Cattle post where Gabonatsela, who was in company of a colleague had travelled to using a government vehicle.
The duo is said to have then met the deceased and his cousin Diphuka Kerepile riding on horses. Gabonatsela is said to have previously accused the deceased for riding his horse. It is alleged that Gabonatsela then engaged in an argument with the deceased and it is reported that Gabonatsela pulled him down from the horse with the intention to tie him but the deceased managed to set free and run. It was at this point that Gabonatsela allegedly shot him on the head as he tried to flee. The accused person will appear for status update on the 11th July 2023.
