AFM pastor is a free man for now

Granted bail after appealing to the High Court

High Court Judge Dr Zein Kebonang has granted conditional bail to Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Pastor, Mooketsi Mogomotsi.The pastor approached the high court after Mochudi Magistrate Court denied him bail. Mogomotsi requested bail after he was arrested for the alleged murder of his wife, Dianah Ompelege Mogomotsi, together with two co-accused accomplices, Thapelo Tlhase (25) and Mokganedi Porogwane (47). The pastor had allegedly promised the two co-accused P73, 000 each to murder his wife, whom he claimed abused him.

The prosecution did not oppose his bail application. His defence lawyer, Karabo Masuku, struggled to convince the court why it should reverse the decision taken by the magistrate court. Masuku presented the same argument he raised at the magistrate court.  Justice Dr Kebonang however told him that he has to advance reasons that were not raised at the lower court. Masuku indicated that there is no reasonable evidence to support the suspicions that his client was involved in the murder. He told the court that the state would not suffer any prejudice since the accused’s house has already been searched and the police were in custody of all the necessary evidence. Masuku said the accused has a constitutional right of being presumed innocent until proven guilty.

Milikani Tibone told the court that the prosecution, after having deliberated on the matter with the Investigating Officer and their superiors, they have decided not to oppose the bail.

Pastor Mogomotsi was admitted to bail on his own recognisance. He is also to report to police every fortnight and surrender his travel documents. Mogomotsi was arrested on the April 3 and was arraigned before Mochudi Magistrate Court on April 5.