A Molepolole man who spent Christmas and New Year’s holidays in police custody for setting his lover’s house on fire has been granted bail.
The accused, Shuakane Matlhwai (64), was remanded in custody by Molepolole Chief Magistrate Goabaone Rammapudi-Lesedi on November 21st, 2019.
The unemployed Magokotswane ward man was charged with arson for willfully and unlawfully setting fire to Beauty Seroba Woto’s house and causing damages amounting to P1250.00 on November 16th, 2019.
The 49-year-old Woto who is a Community Development Officer was said to have been in a relationship with Matlhwai and when she found out after three months that he was married she decided to end the affair.
Matlhwai who was allegedly furious at being dumped by his lover is said to have then decided to avenge by setting her house on fire.
Woto is said to have been away when the fire devoured her home at Motswasele ward in Molepolole.
State prosecutor, Assistant Superintendent Uyapo Koketso, told the court that there are some new developments as the complainant (Woto) has informed them that she had discovered some more damages that she had not noticed when she reported the matter.
“She said she spent more money to repair her damaged property and we have requested her to provide us with quotations as proof. She’s yet to do that and this makes it difficult for us to complete the summary of the case,” explained Koketso.
However, both prosecution and the accused attorney Sesupo Masaka, had agreed that Matlhwai be granted a conditional bail and that he could only communicate with Woto through the police..
Matlhwai was granted a P3000.00
conditional and was ordered to stay away and not communicate with the complainant
and never to interfere with investigations.
The matter will be called for mention on June 11th, 2020.
