Two more robbery suspect of the five suspects facing two counts of robbery were recently arraigned by Maun Magistrate Chandapiwa Molefi for allegedly robbing a 60 year old woman residing in Matlapana money amounting to P53 500 and property amounting P256 000 and robbing her 68 year old husband property amounting to P52,000 on the 1st September 2024.
The two suspects, Thabang Molosiwa (25) of Gaborone West and Ishmael Mfo (27) will be joining their co-accused Releseng Tshekiso (30) of Old Naledi, Thuso Mnuedi (40) of Bontleng and Lloyd Matlhaga (26) of Gaborone West who have been remanded since their arrest on 12th September 2024.The suspects have been linked to a string of robberies of a similar nature across the country.
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. 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 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. During the robbery the accused persons reportedly assaulted the husband and threatened Katherine to transfer money to a number linked to one of the accused.
Appearing before Molefi this week, Molosiwa who works as a forex payment agent that deals with assisting customers with withdrawals and depositing money into forex accounts pleaded not guilty to the offences. He argued that the first accused person sent him money amounting to P16 000 and sought forex trading services.
He stated that on attempting to withdraw the money his bank account was frozen and he was subsequently arrested by the police when he went to First National Bank (FNB) to enquire.
Molosiwa has since pleaded to be granted bail arguing that his business has been left unattended.
For his part Mfo who also pleaded not guilty argued that he was only linked to the offence because the agent he had been using engaged Molosiwa to provide forex money withdrawal for him.
He pleaded to be granted bail arguing that he is a horticulture farmer and has since left his produce unattended. He further argued that he is the sole provider for his young child and girlfriend who was involved in an accident two months ago.
State prosecution however objected the accused person’s bail application they pleaded for a different date in which they avail the investigation officer who will argue on why the accused persons should not be granted bail.
The accused persons will appear for bail argument on the 11th 2024.
