BAILED AFTER FOUR MONTHS ON THE RUN
“I will rip your heart apart. I can see you don’t know me. I will leave the residents of Mandunyane reeling from shock!”
It was this vivid declaration allegedly made against his girlfriend in April that landed Segopotso Lepape before Francistown Magistrates’ Court last Thursday charged with threat-to-kill.
The 29-year-old herdboy has been on the run for the last four months, fleeing after his missus, Gaikangwe Thapane, reported him to the police. The boys in blue finally tracked him down last week, dragging the dishevelled suspect to court.
It seems the trouble started when Thapane, who was cohabiting with Lepape, arrived home late with no explanation as to where she had been. An argument ensued, with an irate Lepape apparently suspecting the worst and accusing his girlfriend of constantly staying out till all hours getting up to who knows what. It was at this point he allegedly uttered the slur that would have him at loggerheads with the law.
Denying the charge against him, Lepape successfully sought his immediate freedom.
Despite his recent time on the run, the state did not oppose bail on the basis certain conditions were set. These included Lepape forking up P500 for bail, providing two sureties bound to the same amount and reporting to Mandunyane Police Station on the last Friday of every month. He was also warned to stay away from Thapane.
Promising to abide by the stipulations, he was allowed to go free, with his next mention set for 5th September.