Youth charged with legendary musician’s murder
A young man suspected to have caused the death of legendary Mazganda Group drummer, Bashi Lebasho Mothei, was arraigned before Francistown Magistrates Court on Friday.
It was not the first time 24-year-old Omphitlhetse Piet had been hauled before the court; on this occasion, however, there was one key difference: he was charged with murder!
The youth was initially detained on a charge of assault, after allegedly beating up Mothei, 63, at Thusanyo Bar in Tatisiding on 7 December.
The veteran musician was hospitilised but his condition gradually deteriorated and he sadly passed away on 5 January.
With Piet already remanded in custody, the charge against him was not upgraded until 18 days later, when he was due in court for mention in the assault matter.
Although plea was reserved, when asked if he had anything to say, the suspect insisted he acted in self-defence, maintaining the old man was strangling him.
Denied bail once again, Piet is due back in court on 23 February.
Outside the courtroom, clocked in a traditional mourning dress, Mothei’s devastated widow, Kesego Emmanuel struggled to hold back tears.
“He was our shield and I put everything on him, even when I was sick he was always there for me. His death really pained me and I do not know if I will be okay,” she said, adding her husband was only at the bar that night because they were using his PA System.
The long-time married couple’s daughter, Kelebogile Emmanuel, 33, is also struggling to find peace with what happened to her dad.
“I want justice to be served for my father. I heard he was pushed to death,” added Kelebogile.
Laid to rest at his home village of Tatisiding on 10 January, Mothei was described as an exceptional drummer who played with great passion, while those that knew him best spoke of a sweet man with a big heart.
As a sure sign of the high regard he was held in, groups from far and wide, including Francistown Original Pantsula, Mazganda.Com, Exit Band and Mswallow Kwambala, performed at the vigil, paying their last respects to a legend.
