Francistown High Court Judge Mphaphi Phumaphi last week convicted a Selibe Phikwe-based traditional healer of a single count of murder.
According to the facts from prosecution, the accused, Busang Makwati, acting jointly with one David Maphane on the 8th of August in 2007, murdered Kediapere Kelopang by hitting her with a metal object.
The facts further reveal that Makwati and his accomplice went to Kelopang’s yard in Mphakenoko location in Selibe Phikwe where he offered some traditional medicine to the deceased who had required her services.
After drinking the concoction, Kelopang complained of dizziness and said she was not feeling well. Makwati then went out of the house where he took a steel pipe and hit the deceased on the head and she later died.
Makwati left the house with his accomplice and headed for Bobonong where police arrested him the following day.
The co-accused, David Maphane, has since turned state witness.
Makwati, however, has pleaded not guilty to the offence. He told court in his evidence that during the fateful day he was called by the family of the deceased who wanted his services as he is a traditional healer. He said that he then went to visit the family and the deceased who was among the family members approached him saying that she needed a traditional medicine to cleanse her uterus and kidneys. He said that he gave her the traditional medicine and then left for Bobonong Village only to be arrested later the following day in connection with the murder.
Giving his verdict, Justice Phumaphi said that it is clear that Makwati murdered the accused as there is overwhelming evidence linking him to the crime. The judge said that the fact that the accused led the police to the scene of the crime as per the statement from the witnesses and the fact that he showed the police a steel pipe that was used in killing the deceased clearly indicated that he was the perpetrator.
“During cross examination, the accused has failed to oppose the fact that he is the one who led the police to the scene of the crime and even the fact that he showed the police a steel pipe which was used to kill the deceased. The DNA results from the blood samples that were found on the clothing of the accused and on the steel pipe also link him to the crime. With all that evidence I find the accused guilty of a single count of murder,” the Judge said.
The case has been postponed to the 23 of November this year as the state and the defense attorneys have to argue if there are extenuating factors in the matter or not. Bail for the accused has been revoked.
Mishingo Jeremia of Jeremia Attorneys represents the accused and the state is represented by Careb Mbenda of the DPP.
