Man blames use of muti on him to kill wife's sister
Murder convict, Ernest Legwale claims he was bewitched by his ex-wife and in-laws to murder Thato Meswele in Oodi nine year ago.
Legwale and his accomplice, Hamadi Mkhuha, appeared before Gaborone High Court this Monday for mitigation after they were found guilty of killing Legwale’s sister in-law, Meswele, in 2015. The third accused in the incident, Zwichanaka Dabie, was reportedly killed in a police raid in South Africa last year.
During trial, the prosecution had stated that Legwale hired the two hitmen to kill his wife Dimpho Meswele but instead the hit-men mistakenly killed the wife's younger sister, Thato.
Legwale and Dimpho were in the process of divorce at the time of the murder. Legwale had maintained his innocence, saying the state had failed to pin him to the murder.
In the last court sessions, second accused Hamadi Mkhuha took the stand to deny any involvement in the murder incident. He said he knew Legwale through a friend, Wellington Mhiwatiaa, when Legwale wanted his car fixed.
Mkhuha said he and Legwale never visited each other at their respective homes, and their only business was to repair the car which he did.
Mkhuha also denied claims by Legwale’s ex-wife Dimpho Meswele that he attacked her, adding that he has never been to Dimpho’s house.
Presenting extenuating circumstances before court, Legwale’s lawyer said the two convicts believe that they had been bewitched, as Legwale and his now ex-wife lived like enemies in their home.
Legwale claimed that a traditional doctor had told him that he was bewitched by his mother-in-law and ex-wife and that they were going to use muti to get rid of him.
He also blamed his in-laws for the loss of his job.
State prosecutor, Merapelo Mokgosi said it was unfortunate for convicts to blame muti for the crime they committed as they will have to support their claims.
The matter has been adjourned to this Wednesday.