Man arrested 13 years later after fleeing murder trial
After being on the run for 13 years, Norman Serumula of Morokologadi ward, Malolwane village in the Kgatleng District is finally back home to face a murder charge he evaded in 2012.
Serumula, 46, is alleged to have killed his girlfriend, Brenda Lakhiwa in Malolwane in 2011.
By 2012, investigators had gathered all evidence and lined up witnesses, and the case was ready to proceed to trial.
However, Serumula failed to appear in court.
Caught off guard by Serumula's disappearance who had been on conditional bail, the prosecution applied for a warrant of arrest, and police have been on his hunt for him ever since.
For years, unconfirmed reports suggested that Serumula may have fled to neighbouring South Africa.
Still, the police remained patient, keeping their ears to the ground.
Their breakthrough came a few days back when an informant tipped them that the fugitive was back in Botswana and hiding at his parents’ home in Malolwane.
The uniformed men followed the tipoff and found him there, leading to his arrest.
The murder charge, which had to be withdrawn pending his capture, will now be reinstated.
Confirming the case, Mmathubudukwane Station Commander, Mmoloki Mogale, said Serumula has already appeared before court and will be in court today (Wednesday) for a status hearing.
“He was arraigned last week and will be back in court on Wednesday. Chances are that he will remain in custody until the end of the trial and sentencing,” Mogale said.
He stressed that the Botswana Police Service remains committed to delivering justice, regardless of time.
“No matter how far one runs, the police will eventually find you, one will answer for their crimes. This is why even after 13 years, the man is here to answer for his alleged actions,” Mogale added.