Mohamed Sadiq Tajbhai, the 33-year-old man accused of killing a Molepolole taxi driver this week, appeared before a Molepolole Magistrates court today charged with murder, robbery and malicious damage to property.
Bare-footed and shackled, Tajbhai who showed little emotion, arrived in court casually dressed in his floral shorts and navy-blue vest under knowing glares from incensed members of the public.
In the tragic incident that shook Molepolole residents and became the talk of the town, Tajbhai is said to have shot dead taxi-driver Ofitlhile Ofitlhile in cold blood on Tuesday for demanding his taxi fare.
According to court documents, on January 24th, 2023, at Borakalalo ward,Tajbhai murdered Ofitlhile and stole his silver Toyota Corolla vehicle valued at P30, 000 which he later burnt.
State Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Maureen Segokgo, applied for the accused to be remanded in custody stating that investigations into the matter were still fresh and that the investigating officer was away on duty in Gaborone.
She promised the court that she would avail the investigating officer for status update in the next sitting.
The magistrate ruled in favour of the prosecution, noting that he found it in the best interest of justice to remand the accused in custody till the next mention scheduled for February 16th, 2023.
It is alleged that on the fateful day the accused had hired the taxi driver for a special trip to his house on Tuesday evening.
Molepolole Taxi Association Spokesperson, Kenanao Motswana, told The Voice in an interview that he received a call from some residents informing him of the shooting incident and he rushed to the scene.
“The suspect allegedly met the deceased at Borakalalo Choppies and requested him for a special to drop him at his place at Borakalalo ward. Upon arrival at the scene they found a Molepolole Fire Brigade crew who were assisting to extinguish a burning house at the suspect’s place and he questioned them what they were doing before he proceeded to the house,” explained Motswana.
Tajbah then allegedly got into the house intending to get some money but when he got back from the house he told the taxi driver to leave and refused to pay the taxi fare.
“When the taxi man demanded his payment, the suspect is said to have returned to the house to get a shotgun and he then instructed the taxi driver to get out of the vehicle to get his money. That was when opened fire on him in full view of the public,” said Motswana.
The taxi spokesperson said he then called his colleagues and they managed to trace the suspect who had escaped with the deceased’s taxi and they found the vehicle abandoned and burnt at Semarule lands.
The taxi men then continued searching for the suspect until they found him behind Moleps Poultry where the police arrested him.
Molepolole Police Station Commander, Superintendent Benedict Matlho, confirmed that they received the report yesterday at around 7 pm and that the police rushed to the scene where upon arrival they took the deceased to the hospital where he was certified dead by the medical doctor.
The case continues.
