Lobatse High Court Judge David Newman is expected to deliver judgment today (Wednesday) on the long running case of the murder of John Kalafatis.
Botswana Defence Force officers, Dzikamani Mothobi, Gotshosamang Sechele, Ronny Matako and Boitshoko Maifala, are accused of shooting Kalafatis to death, following a robbery crime in which he was a suspect.
The officers, however, maintain his death was a mistake as they believed by the time of the incident he was armed and posed a threat to them.
A state counsel, Kabo Leinaeng, has insisted that the accused persons intended to kill Kalafatis.
Against this background, he maintains the four must be convicted of murder, which carries a death penalty as they participated in concert in the killing.
For their part, the defence team said the death of Kalafatis was a result of mistaken belief, which they said is permissible in the eyes of law, insisting their clients’ actions were justifiable as they believed Kalafatis was armed at the time.
Against this backdrop, Thabiso Tafila argued his clients should be acquitted of the offence.
