Residents of Francistown and Mathangwane were left reeling in shock this past weekend following separate tragic incidents that have left two women dead.
A Saturday night of binge drinking, dancing and fun has landed 25-year-old Obokile Barelathile of Mmashoro, in Francistown Magistrate Court’s dock for the alleged murder of her friend Janice James who was 28 years old.
Appearing before court this week, Detective Inspector Misani Modise revealed that information surrounding the murder is still unclear noting that police investigations had just started. However, Modise indicated that the alleged murder weapon used during the incident has been recovered, while post mortem to determine the cause of the deceased’s demise is yet to be conducted.
“All we know so far is that the suspect and the deceased were friends who lived in the same location of Block 2 where we also know that the incident took place. Statements are yet to be recorded from witnesses who were present when the incident happened,” said Inspector Modise.
According to him, the accused was in the company of the now deceased on Saturday, and they had been drinking liquor on that day. As the day progressed, a dispute is reported to have ensued between the two women.
“We are yet to establish what the two were quarreling about, who provoked who and whether the accused acted in self-defense,” continued the Modise.
Dazed in disbelief and with murder charge hanging over her head, unemployed Barethile told the court that she intends to engage an attorney and requested to be granted bail.
However, Chief Magistrate Daniel Nkau remanded the accused for now and she is scheduled to return to court on October 6 for a status update.
In the next court room, before Magistrate Thato Masonya, 46-year-old Mthokozisi Basupi a security guard at Nortex, was arraigned for allegedly killing his 41-year-old girlfriend who is also the mother of his children.
The gruesome murder allegedly took place on Saturday night, when Basupi banged on his neighbor’s door demanding for his lover to come out. It is alleged that when the owner of the house opened the door, fuming Basupi stormed in armed with a knife, sending him to flee for his life.
Basupi is said to have then confronted his girlfriend and stabbed her in the neck and right eye before fleeing from the crime scene. Police found the injured mother of two lying motionless in a pool of blood, while Basupi was only arrested hours later at his house.
Investigating officer, Constable Tshegofatso Phalanyane has pleaded with the Court to remand Basupi for his own safety as the residents of Mathangwane were outraged by the gruesome incident.
“Granting the accused bail will be premature at this moment and detrimental for the suspect. He is not safe; the community is in anger. There is a public outcry to perpetrators of gender-based violence.”
Furthermore, Phalayane revealed that they are yet to collect statements for key witnesses some of whom are the children of the suspect and deceased. The investigating officer indicated that this may take some time because the children are minors and the police need the help of social workers to interview them. The accused returns to Court for his bail ruling today (Friday).
