- The accused is also charged with killing another girlfriend
Girlfriend murder suspect, Gomolemo Makei (36) who is also charged with another count of threatening to kill his other girlfriend has been denied bail by the Francistown Magistrate’s Court.
Makei who hails from Nshakashongwe and awaiting trial before Francistown High Court for the murder of his Dukwi girlfriend in 2018 is now facing another charge of threat to kill.
The accused person is said to have last week Friday insulted and threatened to kill his new girlfriend as he is suspecting her to be cheating on him with another man from Matshelagabedi.
Makei is alleged to have uttered to the complainant, “Onna le monna ko Matshelagabedi, fa nka le fitlhela le monnanyana yoo ketlaa mo segelela marete le tshwino le wena kebo kego segelela mpapa ee go pekisang kebo ke ntsha le pelo ke be kee beela kgakala kego supegetsa gore le batsadi bagago gale botlhale, ga kere oba boleletse gore onna le monna yoo bolaileng motho.”
When denying him bail, Principal Kabelo Magetse said the accused’s alleged criminal pattern cannot be overlooked. “The language used in the threats are deeply troubling, revealing a disturbing and aggressive mindset. Also gives a concerning glimpse of the nature of the relationship between the complainant and the accused.”
“The phrase gakere oba boleletse gore onna le monna yoo bolaileng motho, brings critical concerns to the forefront of this court’s attention. The law is justifiably set aside, allowing the gravity of the accused’s alleged threats to take precedence”, highlighted Magetse.
Magetse went to say that in a country where violence against women is a pressing crisis, his court is deeply concerned about the present case.
“The accused is not only implicated in a prior murder involving his former partner but is also alleged to have made recent threats to kill another girlfriend. This pattern cannot be overlooked”
Magetse said granting bail to Makei who is accused of serious offences especially under these circumstances would constitute a serious risk to public safety. “Further as a judicial officer I would be irresponsible to expose women to any further harm that may arise if the accused person was to be released back into society.”
During the brief court appearance, Makei acknowledged the allegations also confirmed that he is accused of murdering his former girlfriend from Dukwi in 2018. He will return to court on Thursday after police had carried out a background check of his previous convictions and brushes with the law.
