Tatitown police ‘arsonist’ seeks medical help

FRANCISTOWN: A man who shocked many people in the city just before Christmas by allegedly setting fire to Tatitown police station after a misunderstanding over the wearing of a face mask has told the Court that he was in dire need of medical attention.

Mopedi Bugalo, who has severe burn wounds on his leg and is facing a single count of arson, told the Court that he was only taken for medical attention once in the beginning of January after he allegedly committed the offence.

He allegedly suffered the wounds after he was burned by the petrol that he used to torch the police station. Bugalo, who was assisted by a police officer to walk to the dock, decried the medical assistance that he was getting in prison saying that he was only given painkillers.

He told Magistrate Tshepo Magetse that the prison clinic only gives him painkillers and that he would like to have his burn wounds taken care of in a hospital.

Bugalo added that the last time he received care for his wounds outside of prison was beginning of the year and since then prison authorities are refusing to take him to hospital for medical attention. “On the 1st of January I was taken to Area L clinic and I have not been to the clinic again,” Bugalo said.

Sub-inspector Isaiah Oabile told the Court that investigations in the matter are still ongoing. Oabile added: “We make an application for the accused to be further remanded in custody.”

When responding to the application made by the prosecution, Bugalo pleaded with the Court to grant him bail saying he may lose his job if her remains in custody and that he will abide by all bail conditions. Magistrate Magetse then remanded the accused in custody until January 22.