A Maun man facing rape and robbery charges has been denied bail after the court found that he failed to honour his bail conditions by disappearing for about two years, delaying the conclusion of his case.
Letlhogonolo Wright appeared at the Maun Magistrates’ Court this week before Magistrate Gofaone Mosweu, where the court heard arguments on his application for bail after his recent arrest.
According to the charge sheet, Wright is charged with one count of rape and one count of robbery allegedly committed on May 28, 2021, at Boseja Ward in Maun.
The prosecution alleges that Wright had sexual intercourse with an anonymous complainant without her consent. He is also accused of robbing the complainant of a black Tecno Pouvoir Air cellphone valued at P1,600 and using personal violence during the robbery.
Giving evidence, investigating officer Constable Kabelo Ranna of Maun Police Station told the court that Wright first appeared for arraignment in 2022 before the matter proceeded to a Case Management Conference (CMC) on January 4, 2023.
Ranna said the accused failed to attend the CMC, prompting the court to issue a warrant for his arrest. “I made all efforts to trace the accused,” Ranna told the court. He said police first went to the accused’s girlfriend’s residence in Boseja, where she informed them that she had not seen him. Officers later visited Wright’s home, also in Boseja, where his sister reportedly told police that he was no longer staying there.
Ranna said despite continuous efforts to locate him, Wright remained untraceable for approximately two years until he was eventually arrested with the assistance of the Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Following his arrest, he was brought before the court and remanded in custody.
The investigating officer opposed the bail application, arguing that the accused had already demonstrated that he could not be trusted to comply with court orders.
“He failed to appear before court in 2023, and his absence delayed the court proceedings. He should continue to be remanded so that the case can be completed without further delays,” Ranna submitted.
However, Wright denied deliberately absconding. He told the court that he had attended the first three court mentions and only arrived late on the fourth occasion, by which time his case had already been called.
According to Wright, a police officer then instructed him to return home and wait to be contacted. He pleaded with the court to release him on bail, saying he has children who depend on him and insisting that he has always been available whenever required.
Delivering her ruling, Magistrate Mosweu dismissed the bail application.
She said when an accused person is granted bail, they undertake before the court to attend all scheduled appearances and cannot rely on waiting for a police officer to remind or call them.
The magistrate further noted that Wright had previously attributed his failure to attend court to illness but was now advancing a different explanation. She said the inconsistency weakened his credibility and did not inspire confidence that he would comply with bail conditions if released.
The court consequently ordered that Wright remain in custody until July 6, when the matter will return to court for further proceedings.
