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Robbery accused persons, Orefile Kantse and Goitseone Sondani who claim to be witnesses in the recent murder incident which occurred at the Maun State Prison have this week pleaded before the Maun Magistrate’s court for protection and counselling.
Appearing before Magistrate Gaone Bagopi on Monday, Kantse alleged that after being identified as key state witnesses in the case, he has already survived an attack from other inmates whom he suspect are trying to silence him.
He has since demanded to be kept in a safe place or be transferred to a different prison, arguing that this will guarantee his safety from attacks and possible murder.
“I know that this is a matter different from what I am appearing here for but I have to talk about this because my life is in jeopardy, may the court offer me a safe place as I am a key witness,” he pleaded.
His co-accused, Sondani also requested to be assisted with counselling as he alleged that the deceased Zimbabwean inmate was stabbed right in front of him.
“I am in prison for a case of robbery so this incident came as a shock to me and I have been experiencing hallucinations since that day,” Sondani claimed.
In her response, Bagopi informed the duo that she cannot disturb investigations for a matter that she is not presiding over. She has however ordered the investigating officer of the robbery matter to look into the accused persons’ requests and also work with the investigating officer of the murder case so as to assist the duo.
According to a statement from Botswana Prisons Services early this month, the deceased, Michael Phuti (31) succumbed to serious injuries he suffered during a brawl with Osego Mosetlhane (36) of Kgaphamadi Ward in Ghanzi who is popularly known as Cyborg.
The incident is alleged to have occurred on Sunday 8th at around 2300hrs. According to the BPS statement, the Zimbabwean national who resided in Magapatona Ward in Tutume Village was immediately rushed to Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital where he died the following day.
“Details on the circumstances leading to the incident have not yet been established as investigations are still ongoing,” read a statement from BPS.
Kantse and Sondani where appearing in court to confirm their trial dates in a case in which they allegedly broken into and stolen alcohol at Parkis Bar in Botshabelo Ward around April 2021.
The accused persons, are alleged to have on the 21st April 2021 around 0400 hours broke into the said bar and made away with alcoholic beverage amounting to P3852.00, P156 cash, peter 30 and 20 pulse cigarettes valued at P20.
