A farmer and his employee accused of beating a herd-boy to death were re-remanded in custody by Francistown Magistrates Court on Tuesday (September 17th, 2024) to allow the state to wrap up their investigations.
The suspects, Laone Gabaake, 40, and his worker, Poifo Gaofetege, 28, are said to have viciously assaulted Oeteletse Ditlathego, 30, during a row at Lekobeng settlement near Matsitama village on 2nd September.
It is thought Gabaake had hired Ditlathego to help load thatching grass into his car.
The trouble started when Gabaake noticed P800 was missing from his wallet and accused the new recruit of stealing it. Enraged, the suspects are said to have battered Ditlathego to a bloody pulp, injuring him so badly that he died at the scene.
During their first appearance on 4th September, the Investigating Officer, Mokgethi Gaolape revealed the police have not met with any witnesses yet.
“The second accused [Gaofetege] stays in Lekobeng so we fear if granted bail he might interfere with the investigations. The first accused person is always at Lekobeng to look for his cattle so he might also disturb our investigations when set free,” said the Detective Constable, requesting more time to round-up all the witnesses.
Two weeks later, the prosecution admitted they had made little progress in the matter.
Meanwhile, seeking his release, Gabaake told court he was taking care of his wife and kids, and that there was no-one left at the farm to keep an eye his things.
Similarly, Gaofetoge, who works as a farm-hand, revealed he was responsible for looking after his mother.
Both men saw their request for freedom quashed, with court denying them bail, sending the accused killers back to prison until their next mention, set for 14 October.
