MAN ARRAIGNED FOR THREATENING TO KILL GIRLFRIEND

A 35-year-old man of Makalamabedi village was on Tuesday arraigned before Maun Magistrate for allegedly threatening to kill his girlfriend.

According to facts before court, on March 22nd, Tlhokomelang Mpinang had a misunderstanding with his girlfriend, Keitumetse Ketaaleka, and ended up threatening to kill her by uttering the words, “Ke tla go bolaya, nna ga ke tshabe go bolaya. Nna mme o sule!” which loosely translates to “I will kill you, I am not afraid of committing murder. My mother is dead.”

In addition to the threat to kill charge, Mpinang is charged with malicious damage to property as he allegedly broke Ketaaleka’s mobile phone in a fit of rage.

Pleading with the court to remand Mpinang in custody, the Investigating Officer, Joshua Otlaadisa Dikampa, revealed that investigations were still at the initial stages and they were yet to contact possible witnesses.

“We are yet to record statements from witnesses, the investigations are still at initial stages as this is a fresh matter. We are yet to find an alternative place of abode for any of them since they were staying together in Maun” said Dikampa.

Adding to their plea, the State Prosecutor, Mmoloki Boshati, pleaded with the court to deny Mpinang bail to protect the victim and to enable the state to carry out investigations without his interference.

“This is a gender-based violence matter, cases of this nature are a concern. Threat to kill is a serious offense, which should be investigated thoroughly. We therefore plead with the court to deny the accused person bail to protect the victim and to allow us to carry out our investigations,” said Boshati.

Responding to the prosecution’s plea, Mpinang informed the court that he had an alternative place of abode in Makalamabedi where he was born and raised. He further added that if granted bail he would be able attend court mentions from there.

“I have a place in Makalamabedi where I stay with my disabled sibling who suffers from epilepsy. I am the one taking care of him and his goats that he received from the poverty eradication programme. Most of the time when I am in Maun, I would have left him in the custody of our neighbour. I am also taking care of my two minor children,” said Mpinang, adding that he has asked to be taken for medical attention since his arrest all to no avail.

“I am asthmatic. I had asked to be taken to the hospital to get my medication but they refused. During my fight with the complainant, I suffered some injuries in my genitalia that need to be attended, too,” added Mpinang.

The prosecution has been ordered to take Mpinang for medical attention and to collect his medication. The matter has been set for 11th April for status update and bail ruling.