Man shoots workmate dead
Trial continued on Friday in a case before Justice Barnabas Nyamadzabo in which a 30-yearold man allegedly gunned down his workmate. The State alleges that Thabe Alesere, then 21, murdered Naga Mogome on October 13, 2013, at Makwenta cattle post near Tutume village.
Alesere is also charged with theft of a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition. When giving evidence, the investigating officer, Detective Inspector Keoagile Dema told the court that he received a report on October 14, 2013 to the effect that the deceased was found lying on the ground with serious injuries.
Dema said he then went to the scene and took Mogome to Tutume Primary Hospital where doctors certified him dead. The following day, Dema narrated, he went to Makwenta to further his investigations.
“During the course of my investigations, I found out that the accused and deceased were staying together in the same place and were hired by the same person. On the same day, a man, John Mujiwa, laid a complaint at Tutume Police Station to the effect that his house at Xhanae cattle post was broken into and a shotgun and bullets belonging to Zaba Ntikiwa were stolen.
When I interviewed Alesere, he told me that he was sent by Mujiwa to kill Mogome. Alesere took me to the scene of the crime and showed me where he had hidden the gun under leaves and soil. I later warned and cautioned Alesere for the offence of murder.
I also warned and cautioned Alesere of the offences of stealing a firearm, unlawful possession of a firearm and unlawful possession of ammunition,” said Dema when Gape Merafhe from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) questioned him.
Dema added that he later took the gun to the police forensic laboratory for analysis. Under cross-examination from defence attorney Janet Pabalinga, Dema said he dropped the charge of murder that was levelled against Mujiwa after his death. Dema reiterated that Alesere is the one who murdered Mogome.
As the trial proceeded, it became apparent that one of the key State witnesses, one constable Bathoeng, who was the scene crime investigator, was not part of the witnesses who testified in court.
When asked about the lapse, Dema stated that he thought that Bathoeng was one of the state witnesses but he did not know what happened since the matter was later taken to the DPP for analysis of evidence and prosecution.
Asked by Pabalinga if he wanted the court to believe and rely only on his evidence as the true version of what transpired, Dema said: “I think the court is competent enough to make its decision concerning that.”
Probed why he did not extract fingerprints from the shotgun to ascertain who had used it, Dema said that Bathoeng, whose scope of duty covers that aspect, advised him that it was impossible to extract fingerprints from the shotgun since it was found buried under leaves and soil.
Dema also conceded that it was his job to identify witnesses before trials start, but he did not do so. After the prosecution closed its case, Justice Nyamadzabo made an order that the case shall continue on November 11 for oral submissions on an application of no case to answer.