GBV Centre murder suspect labeled a danger to witnesses

Murder suspect, Gomolemo Mmotlanyana who last month walked into a centre that protects Gender Based Violence (GBV) victims and allegedly killed his wife has been denied bail by the Broadhurst Magistrate Court this week.Gomolemo reportedly wielded and stabbed his wife Kebabope Mmotlanyana to death at the Botswana Gender Based Violence Support and Prevention Centre in Gaborone, where she had gone to seek intervention. The centre provides support to victims of GBV by offering accommodation and counselling services.Giving a bail ruling on Tuesday, Magistrate Gorata Ramakoloi said the offence of murder is one of the most serious in Botswana.According to Ramakoloi, the interest of justice in this case dictates that state witnesses be recorded expeditiously and without any intimidation.Magistrate Ramakoloi further said the likelihood of the accused interfering with the children is not far-fetched and it is not wrong to come to a conclusion that eye-witnesses would also be endangered by his release.Furthermore, Ramakoloi said children currently need to continue without the disturbance of the accused and also be facilitated to continue their education without encumbrance.“The children still need time and space to process their grievances to make sense of what transpired. It is the cause of the view that the position is not speculated but rather found on what is considered best to the interest of children”, Ramakoloi said.She noted that the seriousness and brutal nature of the case cannot be overlooked. Further, that witnesses would be intimidated. She explained that in bail proceedings, the state is not obliged to prove its case but to ensure balance of proceedings with evidence in a form of witness statements and other documents.Ramakoloi said that investigations in a murder case are not simple as other offences and they require a great degree of intensive investigations, therefore the state opts to be accorded an opportunity to investigate so that justice is served in view of all parties.“The victims, or the deceased, need justice and it can only be served if the accused goes through a fair hearing and fair trial and witnesses are enabled to attend court and to testify on the truth of what they know.”She added that the accused is assured of fair hearing and fair trial and remains innocent until proven guilty. Though there is limited information on the prosecution regarding his release, the accused is likely to abscond if on bail bond or bail.

Explore

More

News

GBV Centre murder suspect labeled a danger to witnesses