‘Please forgive me’

Murder convict Thabo Masilo cut a forlorn figure in court this week as he begged for forgiveness for killing Tshepo Motlhabane. Masilo appeared at the Gaborone High Court on Monday for sworn evidence in mitigation. His lawyer Kgosi Ngakaagae told court that he would present two witnesses, being Masilo and his mother, Victoria Masilo, who told court about her son’s psychosocial development. Masilo, who was once plump, has lost a considerable amount of weight and prison life seems to have accelerated his ageing, as he now looks older than his 27 years. He cut a subdued persona, a far cry from the cocky juvenile character of previous years. The lad, who is also serving another term for robbery and rape, arrived in court surrounded by armed prison warders. He was dressed in dark blue chino pants and a light blue printed floral shirt and shades. Gone is the infamous unkempt Mohawk cut. It has been replaced by a fashionable fade cut with funky lines, as is the trend nowadays. Court one was packed to the rafters as family members, former schoolmates, law students, media and curious members of the public sat without shifting to lap up every detail on what could have transpired on that fateful day on 16 November 2012 when Motlhabane was stabbed to death by Masilo in her family home in Phase 4, Gaborone. The Court heard that on the day of his arrest, Masilo had taken drugs. He stated that he had joined a few friends he went to school with and gone on a drinking spree, drinking seven quart bottles of Zamalek (Black label liquor) and smoking three zolo (joints of marijuana). Strangely he recalled details of what happened on the day despite his intoxication. Masilo told court that he had introspected and learnt from his mistakes. When Ngakaagae asked him if he would kill again he responded that he would not and claimed that he had been rehabilitated as he now held motivational talks in prison to encourage fellow inmates to turn over a new leaf. He also stated that he was doing his last semester of a Degree in Business Entrepreneurship he had been doing through BOCODOL. When Ngakaagae asked him to present a message to the Motlhabane family, Masilo said: “I am full of remorse. In my life, I never ever thought that I would be in such a position. I want the Motlhabane family to know that I keep them in my prayers. “I also pray that they have a sense of forgiveness towards me. God says we should forgive others. If I had the chance and it was possible that I be released, I would get close to the Motlhabane family to try and make amends with them.” The case will continue on 8 April 2019 for final submissions and to set a date for sentencing.