Broadhurst Magistrate Onkarabile Mokone last week granted bail to four men accused of kidnapping a Chinese businesswoman whom they kept in confinement for four days while demanding a ransom.
The quartet ,Tebogo Jefferson Moahi, Karabo Potsoeng, Otsile Modiegi Mosala and Tlotlo Wadikgosi William all from Kanye are charged with robbery, kidnapping and theft of motor vehicle.
It is alleged that after kidnapping the woman, Quin Quin Song, the accused persons demanded P900 000 for the captive’s release.
However four days later the four men realised they got the wrong person instead of their rich target after all and dumped her in Block 7 Gaborone.
Allegations are that after arrest, the police investigating officers went to search the house where Song was kept and a stolen Runx car was discovered. The car belonging to Lorato Basiamang was reported stolen at University of Botswana parking lot on the 10th of September.
On the first count, the court heard that on or about the 13th of November this month at BTF furniture Broadhurst industrial in Gaborone, the four accused persons acting jointly and in concert, robbed Quin Quin Song P1,200 cash and an iphone worth P19 000, Thabiso Janet Oagile a cellphone worth P2,400 and also robbed Felistus Keeletse of a cellphone valued at P1200.
It is alleged that they used violence against the victims in order to obtain and retain all the stolen property.
On the second count, the accused on or about the 13thof November at BTF furnishers acting jointly and in concert, unlawfully and without the consent of Quin Quin Song took her from the shop to Kanye where they secretly and wrongfully confined her for 4 days.
State Prosecutor Mmapatsi Tshimologo and the defence attorney, Ofentse Khumomotse agreed on the terms of bail conditions. They both agreed that the accused person be granted bail on conditions that they bind themselves with P15 000 and provide two sureties who will bind themselves with P2 500 each.
The accused are to report fortnightly at the nearest police station and not interfere with the police investigations.
Meanwhile there was an argument in court that that the accused person should provide blood extraction for prosecution to check if there is DNA connection between the accused persons and the complainant.
Magistrate Mokone agreed with the suggested bail conditions and ordered that the accused persons be back in court on the 20th of December for mention and the DNA test ruling.
