Murder accused, Thalosang Kelapile charged for killing his partner and child has been granted bail by the Maun Magistrates court.
The 38-year-old Kelapile, who was the partner of the late Lesang Noga (40) and father to her six-month-old baby, Yuri Noga, stands accused of murdering the two, whose bodies were found hanging from a tree in Maun’s Matlapana ward last month.
The tragic discovery was made on the morning of September 19, when a local resident, Mogomotsi Letsile, stumbled upon the bodies and immediately alerted the police. At first, the case appeared to be a murder-suicide, but later findings by investigators have since pointed towards murder.
The double murder accused has been granted bail by Magistrate Gofaone Mosweu, who acknowledged the gravity of the charges but noted that there were no compelling reasons to keep Kelapile in custody while awaiting trial. She emphasised that bail does not amount to acquittal but rather ensures that the accused remains available to stand trial.
The court then granted Kelapile bail under strict conditions, cautioning him against interfering with witnesses or tampering with evidence. The matter has been adjourned to February 26, 2026, for further proceedings.
When Kelapile first appeared before the Maun Magistrates’ Court on October 6, he was remanded in custody as investigations were still ongoing.
During earlier proceedings, Investigating Officer Detective Assistant Commissioner Sergeant Marapo told the court that new evidence gathered by police suggested the scene had been staged to appear as a suicide.
Seeking the suspect’s continued remand, Marapo told the court, “Investigations are at an early stage and there are witnesses that we are still to contact. This matter is based on circumstantial evidence and we need time to thoroughly investigate it. We are still gathering leads. If we can be given time to thoroughly investigate it, justice will be done for both the deceased and the accused. Our fear is that if he is given bail now, he may interfere with investigations.”
Marapo further revealed that while the initial impression pointed to suicide, inconsistencies at the scene, including signs of tampering, raised suspicion. He added that the only shoeprints found at the scene belonged to the deceased and the accused, deepening police suspicion.
However, when opposing continued detention of his client, Kelapile’s attorney, Advocate Kutobe Modie, argued that his client had fully cooperated with investigators and had not attempted to interfere with the case.
