A day of drinks, fun and chilling out turned sour, when a brawl erupted between Ookeditse Seelo, his former lover, Olebogeng Maifala leaving her with a fractured pelvic and right ankle. The matter is now before the Francistown magistrate court.
According to particulars brought before court, Seelo, on the 9th of last month allegedly ran over Maifala with is Toyota Rav 4 in Leloto ward, Tonota. This attack left her with both pelvic bones fractured and her right ankle broken too. It remains unknown, what triggered the brawl and drove Seelo to knock down his ex-lover with the motor vehicle.
In the meantime, 49-year-old Seelo remains behind bars until Maifala who is in a critical condition makes it out of the valley of death and able to express her views in his bail proceedings.
Francistown Magistrate Tshepo Magetse said it imperative for court to accord Maifala an opportunity to have a say whether or not she objects to her former lover being granted bail.
“Following the arraignment of the accused yesterday, prosecution initially indicated that it did not oppose the accused person being admitted to bail. The court inquired whether the complainant ‘s views had been sought. It was established that no such inquiry had been made”, pointed out Magistrate Magetse who noted that this is another case of Gender Based Violence.
“In the present case, the complainant’s hospitalisation renders her unable to exercise this right of participation. It would not be prudent to proceed with the bail application at this stage. The complainant must first be afforded an opportunity to recuperate and if her medical condition permits, to participate meaningfully in the proceedings”, continued the Magistrate.
This point therefore left Seelo remanded until the 11th of this month, pending an appraisal of Maifala’s medical condition and injuries sustained.
“For avoidance of doubt, this remand is not indefinite and shall be subjected to review on the return date”, emphasised Principal Magistrate Magetse.
Court will thereafter reassess the matter and determine the appropriate way forward regarding bail. In the meantime, Court ordered Seelo be finger printed to determine if he has previous convictions or pending cases.
