BDP Councillor and seven others implicated in man’s murder
A dispute over a dead donkey has reportedly left a North West politician and seven others with human blood on their hands.
Specially elected councillor, Keebonye Lepodise Mphoyamodimo, 39, of the Botswana Democratic Party (BDP), is one of eight men who appeared before Maun Magistrates Court on Tuesday accused killing one, Modibedi Agang.
As well as murder, Mphoyamodimo and his co-accused have also been charged with assault occasioning actual bodily harm, after they reportedly beat another man, Dipuo Nkhana to within an inch of his life.
Nkhana is currently in critical condition at Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital.
According to the facts before court, all eight suspects travelled together to Polokabatho cattlepost on Friday 29 October to confront Agang, Nkhana and one Duncan Senyatso, over the killing and theft of domestic animals in the area.
They reportedly arrived to find Nkhana and Agang, who was armed with a knobkerrie and electric cable. It seems a scuffle ensued, with the eight quickly overpowering the two, before allegedly tying them up and subjecting them to a severe thrashing.
Later they are said to have loaded the duo in a vehicle and driven them to where the donkey was killed. However, when the accused were driving back to Maun to hand the two men over to the police, Agang reportedly lost consciousness. He was rushed to the hospital where he was certified dead upon arrival.
During their brief outing before court, arguments for bail were postponed until the Magistrate in charge of the case is available, which should be any time from Thursday (4 November).
The suspects will remain on remand until then.
As well as Councillor Mphoyamodimo, the accused are: Howard Moyo, 42, Mmoloki Makhi, 39, Bonolo Dibebe, 29, Lebapotswe Luka Madubula, 39, Oaboloka Keletso, 29, Kabo Moyantweng, 24, and Modimoosi Tseladioka, 21 .