Suspected cop killers denied bail

Six men accused of killing police officer Sergeant Basimane Binikwa over the weekend in Gaborone’s Block 8 appeared before Village Magistrate Ike Raphael on Tuesday this week. Binikwa, 43, was stationed at Sir Seretse Khama Airport police station and had just dropped off his friends on the fateful night when he was attacked and left for dead with multiple wounds on the head and left breast. He was certified dead at Extension II Clinic later that night.

The accused persons Thuto Motseothata, Buru Motseothata, Lore Morentlwa, Karabo Kowa, Tsaone Motswetla and Thato Lesela who fled in a Honda Fit after the gruesome attack now face two counts of robbery and murder. In the first charge, State Prosecutor, Elang Keitumetse says they acted together in concert and with common purpose using a knife and bricks to rob Binikwa a silver Huwaeii cellphone valued at P2 500.

They are also accused of acting together in concert and with common purpose to murder Binikwa on 11th August at Block 8 Domboshaba Bar in Gaborone. All the accused persons – who hail from Moshupa and Thamaga - were denied bail because the case is still new and investigations are yet to be done. Keitumetse told the Magistrate that they are expecting to interview possible witnesses in the case. Four of the accused persons are unemployed, while one works as a bus conductor and another as a Welder at Steel Galaxy.