Doubt in court over accused killer’s sanity
With a disheveled, unwashed look to match his dirty clothes, a man thought to have mental health issues appeared before Francistown Magistrates Court on Thursday charged with murder.
The 38-year-old accused killer, who cannot be named due to his suspected mental health condition, allegedly stabbed one Oduetse Themba to death in Semotswane village at around 7am on Wednesday morning.
It is reported the suspect attacked Themba unprovoked while he was walking through Maphoka ward.
Given the chance to address court, the accused rambled, “A child once fell in a pit and I was told to remove her. And the soldiers are not allowed to go to prison.”
Urging he be remanded in custody and sent for help, State Prosecutor, Paphidzo Kuda said, “We plead that the accused person be taken for psychiatric evaluation and that the prison psychologist be availed on the next mention to update court on how to tackle his mental health issue.”
Unsurprisingly given the suspect’s physical appearance and disjointed statements, the Magistrate agreed. Denied bail, he is due back in court for status update on 25 September.
