Africa-Press – Botswana. The defence counsel in the case of the late Solomon Thapane’s estate has admitted evidence from three more state witnesses.
The defence attorneys, Mr Kgosietsile Ngakaagae for the first accused person, Bhekizwe Nkomazana, and Mr Enoch Mazonde for the third accused person, Daniel Gasefiwe, made the admission before Magistrate Ms Kamogelo Mmesi on Monday.
“The defence just admitted three witnesses today,” stated Ms Seeletso Ookeditse from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions. As a result, the state was not in a position to proceed with the trial as it had lined up the three witnesses for the day.
The admitted statements related to Moduedi Sebina, a transport officer at the Department of Roads and Transport Services (DRTS), which implicated Nkomazana and Gasefiwe. Another DRTS computer programmer’s evidence was also admitted, affecting both Nkomazana and Gasefiwe.
Additionally, the defence team admitted the statement of Fidelis Nkomazana, which only affected Nkomazana. Ms Ookeditse informed court that the prosecution would be left with only ten witnesses to complete its case and pleaded with court to allocate more dates for the trial continuation.
Hence, Magistrate Mmesi scheduled the trial to continue on November 25, 26, 27, and 28, where the state is expected to wrap its case.
Nkomazana, a Zimbabwean national also known as Khaya Bheki Mazibuku, is charged with failing to disclose Thapane’s death to his family and subsequently obtaining about P4 million through selling his properties, including a house in Gaborone and a farm.
Nkomazana worked for the late Thapane as a gardener until his passing in September 2016 and is charged alongside Othusitse Seoke, Daniel Gasefiwe, and Levy Mosweu, who are accused of official corruption in abetting him to obtain a birth certificate, national identity card (Omang), and a driver’s license.
Nkomazana is represented by Mr Ngakaagae, Gasefiwe by Mr Mazonde, while Seoke and Mosweu are self-represented.
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