Five men accused of robbing a Matlapana couple last month were granted bail granted bail by Maun Magistrate Chandapiwa Molefi this week.
Facing to counts of robbery, the accused persons are alleged to have robbed a 60-year-old woman residing in Matlapana money amounting to P53 500 and property worth P256,000. On the second count they are alleged to have robbed the old woman’s 68-year-old husband property amounting to P52,000.
The accused persons who have been linked to a string of robberies of a similar nature across the country are identified as Releseng Tshekiso (30) of Old Naledi, Thuso Manuedi (40) of Bontleng, Lloyd Lone Matlhaga (26) of Gaborone West, as well as Thabang Molosiwa (25) and Ishmael Mfolwe (27) who were arrested at a later stage.
Molefi on Tuesday granted the pentad conditional bail in which they were all ordered to pay cash amounting to P2000 each and also provide two sureties each who will bind themselves with the same amount. They were also ordered to surrender their travelling documents and not to interfere with police investigations. They are further required to attend court proceedings as in when required among other conditions.
The 4th accused person (Molosiwa) pleaded for his bank account to be unfrozen for him to access his money but magistrate Molefi informed him that such request can be made before the substantive magistrate, Gofaone Mosweu while prosecution said it was yet to know whether the money is part of evidence to be used during trial.
Particulars of the offence are that on the first count the accused persons robbed their first victim, Katherine Ives money mounting to P53 500 which they transferred to themselves through cell phone banking. They went on to rob the victim property worth P256,000. On the second count they robbed the old woman’s husband, Martin Ives by forcefully stripping off his property worth P52,000. On committing both robberies the accused persons are said to have been armed with crow bars, knives, short logs and wearing balaclavas.
Around August this year the suspects are said to have robbed two people on two different occasions in Gantsi before proceeding to Maun where they committed robberies a case which is not yet before court. Their last stop was in Otse village where they robbed one person and were later arrested.
Investigating Officer (IO), Detective Assistant Commissioner, Sergeant Marapo previously objected the accused persons bail application fearing that they may temper with evidence as police have not yet recovered any of the stolen goods.
According to Marapo, in each case linked to them, the alleged robbers were five men masked in balaclavas who reportedly forced victims to transfer funds to the same number that was used by them to solicit money from their victims in September 1st.
He also claimed that the funds sent to the account in question were transferred to a different FNB account which the located owner is Molosiwa. He indicated that they have since frozen the accounts pending investigations. The accused persons will appear in court again on the 3rd December 2024 for status update.
