Jojo tank triple murder suspects pray for bail

Lobatse High Court will deliver judgement on a bail application by three suspects implicated in the murder of three boys near Boatlaname in the Kweneng District.

The three boys aged 9, went missing on December 27th 2023 and were found dead the following day in an empty 1000 litre water tank at a farm belonging to the Rakola family near Boatlaname.

Phenyo Raborotho Ratlhaga (9), Mmelili Mbina Ratlhaga (9) and Pako Pompona Mokgalagadi (9) were laid to rest on the 3rd of January 2024.

Three family members, Rakola Rakola, Katlego Rakola and Basesonye Rakola were arrested in connection with the incident. They are charged with three counts of murder. Molepolole Magistrates Court denied them bail earlier this month pending police investigations.

Their lawyer then filed an urgent bail application with the Lobatse High Court as the Rakolas have been in custody for more than two weeks without a charge.

State prosecutor, Rahim Khan this Monday opposed the application, saying the three suspects are a flight risk and that they should be remanded for their own safety. He also argued that the suspects might interfere with the investigations.

But the defense lawyer, Ofentse Khumomotse said the prosecution has failed to prove how the applicants will interfere with the investigations and that they are a flight risk.

Judgement is expected to be delivered this Wednesday.