The family of the late Elizabeth Mosadinyana Ramolala in Kgomokasitwa has finally spoken out against what they call 'malicious lies' circulating on social media about them.
These include voice notes, and WhatsApp messages, alleging that they benefited from Moagi Mokomeng, the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Lance Corporal accused in the Kgomokasitwa triple murder case.
Mokomeng is accused of murdering Elizabeth Mosadinyana Ramolala, Katlego Ramolala and Aretha Lelentle Ramolala, as well as attempting to kill Happy Ramolala and Sergeant Thabo Dibotelo.
Tebatso Ramolala, the son of the deceased and the family representative, dismissed the claims as baseless and fuelled by jealousy and hunger for relevance.
Speaking to The Midweek Sun on Monday, he detailed how their late mother built her legacy through sheer hard work, contrary to the accusations that Mokomeng financially contributed to their household.
"Mokomeng was never in a position to build anything, he was my best friend," he said.
Tebatso set the record straight regarding the family's property, stating that the allegations of Mokomeng financing the house renovation were false.
"When that house was renovated, Mokomeng was not working. In fact, he was the one hired to make bricks alongside others. Before then, it was a three-bedroom house with a living room, kitchen,
bathroom, and storeroom. This was back in 2011, right after Mokomeng finished his Form five in 2010 at Lobatse Senior Secondary School."
He revealed that his mother was a self-sufficient woman who owned multiple vehicles.
"Now tell me, how does someone who joined the BDF as a private in 2012 afford all these things? Think! My mother owned a fully developed farm with livestock, while the Mokomeng family did not even have cattle of the same breed. Everything she had was through her own hard work," he clarified.
Tebatso urged those spreading rumours to allow their family space to mourn in peace, as they have experienced the most heart-breaking tragedy.
Despite the painful accusations, Tebatso said that their family had always treated Mokomeng well, and treated him as one of their own.
"When Mokomeng went for BDF selection in 2012, my mother gave him transport fee, enough to also use it for food items. That is the kind of person she was, a caring and a loving individual. Moagi was never a problem to us, we were willing to help him as he was a friend. People are lying about him supporting our family, it is simply not true," Tebatso said.
He also revealed that after Mokomeng returned from BDF training, he picked up habits that conflicted with their family's values.
"He came back smoking marijuana, but since we do not condone that in our family, he struggled with it. He eventually quit because he knew our mother did not approve such, just as his own mother disapproved. His mother even once called me, asking me to talk to him about buying a car before getting a license. But he still went ahead and bought one," he said.
Tebatso insisted that he was always on Mokomeng’s case about responsible decisions, even pushing him to get a driver’s license. Regarding the rape allegations against Mokomeng, Tebatso stated that he never commented on them because they were in the hands of the law. However, the triple murder accusations shocked him.
"I was in Jwaneng when I got the call about what had happened. I was speechless because the victim is my niece and I watched her grow up," he said, tears welling in his eyes.
As Mokomeng's cases are now before the court, Tebatso and his family remain steadfast that the allegations of benefiting from Mokomeng are unfounded.
"This is pure jealousy. People need to stop spreading lies. If anyone believes otherwise, they can go and check our records, we owe no one," he said!
The case against Moagi Mokomeng resumes on March 17. He is facing six serious charges, including three counts of murder, two of attempted murder, and arson.
Prosecutors hinted that additional charges could be brought forward as investigations progress. The burial of the three slain family members will be on Saturday at Borite ward in Kgomokasitwa.
These include voice notes, and WhatsApp messages, alleging that they benefited from Moagi Mokomeng, the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) Lance Corporal accused in the Kgomokasitwa triple murder case.
Mokomeng is accused of murdering Elizabeth Mosadinyana Ramolala, Katlego Ramolala and Aretha Lelentle Ramolala, as well as attempting to kill Happy Ramolala and Sergeant Thabo Dibotelo.
Tebatso Ramolala, the son of the deceased and the family representative, dismissed the claims as baseless and fuelled by jealousy and hunger for relevance.
Speaking to The Midweek Sun on Monday, he detailed how their late mother built her legacy through sheer hard work, contrary to the accusations that Mokomeng financially contributed to their household.
"Mokomeng was never in a position to build anything, he was my best friend," he said.
Tebatso set the record straight regarding the family's property, stating that the allegations of Mokomeng financing the house renovation were false.
"When that house was renovated, Mokomeng was not working. In fact, he was the one hired to make bricks alongside others. Before then, it was a three-bedroom house with a living room, kitchen,
bathroom, and storeroom. This was back in 2011, right after Mokomeng finished his Form five in 2010 at Lobatse Senior Secondary School."
He revealed that his mother was a self-sufficient woman who owned multiple vehicles.
"Now tell me, how does someone who joined the BDF as a private in 2012 afford all these things? Think! My mother owned a fully developed farm with livestock, while the Mokomeng family did not even have cattle of the same breed. Everything she had was through her own hard work," he clarified.
Tebatso urged those spreading rumours to allow their family space to mourn in peace, as they have experienced the most heart-breaking tragedy.
Despite the painful accusations, Tebatso said that their family had always treated Mokomeng well, and treated him as one of their own.
"When Mokomeng went for BDF selection in 2012, my mother gave him transport fee, enough to also use it for food items. That is the kind of person she was, a caring and a loving individual. Moagi was never a problem to us, we were willing to help him as he was a friend. People are lying about him supporting our family, it is simply not true," Tebatso said.
He also revealed that after Mokomeng returned from BDF training, he picked up habits that conflicted with their family's values.
"He came back smoking marijuana, but since we do not condone that in our family, he struggled with it. He eventually quit because he knew our mother did not approve such, just as his own mother disapproved. His mother even once called me, asking me to talk to him about buying a car before getting a license. But he still went ahead and bought one," he said.
Tebatso insisted that he was always on Mokomeng’s case about responsible decisions, even pushing him to get a driver’s license. Regarding the rape allegations against Mokomeng, Tebatso stated that he never commented on them because they were in the hands of the law. However, the triple murder accusations shocked him.
"I was in Jwaneng when I got the call about what had happened. I was speechless because the victim is my niece and I watched her grow up," he said, tears welling in his eyes.
As Mokomeng's cases are now before the court, Tebatso and his family remain steadfast that the allegations of benefiting from Mokomeng are unfounded.
"This is pure jealousy. People need to stop spreading lies. If anyone believes otherwise, they can go and check our records, we owe no one," he said!
The case against Moagi Mokomeng resumes on March 17. He is facing six serious charges, including three counts of murder, two of attempted murder, and arson.
Prosecutors hinted that additional charges could be brought forward as investigations progress. The burial of the three slain family members will be on Saturday at Borite ward in Kgomokasitwa.
