Ex-BCL employee up for double murder
Has another ‘murder’ case before Justice Sechele
FRANCISTOWN: The murder trial of a former BCL mineworker, Otlaadisa Vasco Akofang, entered its latest session on Friday before Justice Bashi Moesi.
Akofang, aged 33 and residing in Botshabelo location, Selebi-Phikwe, stands accused of the alleged murder of Lazarus Puso on October 6, 2013, in the mining town. At the time of the incident, Akofang was employed as a machine-man at the BCL Mine.
His charge centres on the claim that he fatally stabbed Puso in the back with a knife at an entertainment venue, resulting in Puso’s demise. During the trial proceedings, one of the State witnesses, Olatotse Seithamo, provided crucial testimony.
Seithamo revealed his close relationship with Akofang, describing him as being like a brother, as Akofang was renting a place from him. Seithamo informed the court that following the alleged commission of the crime, Akofang sent him a message requesting a callback.
“I then called Akofang back and he told me that he wanted me to take him to the police station because he had murdered someone,” said Seithamo.
In response to the defence attorney, Kesegofetse Molosiwa’s suggestion that Seithamo might be falsely incriminating Akofang, Seithamo firmly contradicted this notion.
He asserted that there was no indication in his police statement that Akofang had sent him a callback message, refuting the implication that he was fabricating evidence.
With Seithamo’s cross-examination concluded, prosecutor Neo Machola informed the court that the State had just one witness remaining, the Investigations Officer, to complete its case.
Justice Moesi then scheduled the continuation of the trial for October 6 and extended Akofang’s bail. In a separate legal matter, it is worth noting that Akofang faces another murder case before Justice Bengbame Sechele, allegedly committed in 2016 while on bail for the murder of Puso.
Police have taken into custody a 28-yearold man from Bokaa ward in Shoshong, following the discovery of seven sachets of suspected dagga, also known as motokwane, in his possession.
The suspect was apprehended during a routine stop, question, and search operation conducted near a local barber shop. Confirming the incident, Senior Superintendent Nicholas Kadiatla, the No.16 District Officer Commanding, reported that the suspect was in the company of other young men when the discovery was made.
The seven sachets of suspected dagga, weighing approximately 60 grams in total, were found in his possession. Kadiatla highlighted that given the quantity of the substance, there is a suspicion that the suspect may have been involved in selling the drugs.
Investigations are currently underway to determine the source of his supply. “We are yet to take the illicit substances for further testing. However, drug use remains a concern as we continue to arrest people in possession of illicit substances like dagga, cocaine, and methcathinone to mention but a few.
What worries us the more is that these substances always find their way into schools hence our plea to members of the public to help us curb drug use,” Kadiatla emphasised.