No bail for suspected Molepolole taxi-driver killer
The 33-year-old man accused of shooting a Molepolole taxi driver in cold blood and torching his car has had three extra charges laid against him.
As well as murder, robbery and malicious damage to property, Mohamed Sadiq Tajbhai is now facing further charges of: theft of a motor vehicle and unlawful possession of both a firearm and ammunition.
The suspected killer, who is of Indian descent, appeared before Molepolole Magistrates Court for status hearing earlier today (Thursday 16 February) where he was once again remanded in custody.
Taking the stand, Investigating Officer (IO), Tshupetso Mokgopa revealed the investigation was multi-faceted, covering several incidents that took place on the day of the murder.
The top cop also told the fully packed court, which included the suspect’s father, Tajbhai Muinuddin, that this was not the first time Tajbhai had landed himself in trouble with the law.
“He is also facing a charge of unlawful possession of a firearm, for which he will be appearing for sentencing before Extension 2 Magistrates Court on the 22nd [February]. He was once given bail before the same court and he absconded,” revealed Mokgopa, adding one of the bail conditions was to surrender his passport to the police, which he failed to do.
The Assistant Superintendent further insisted it was in Tajbhai’s best interests to remain behind bars as emotions in the community were still extremely raw and thus he might be at risk of a revenge attack should he be released.
Despite the Defence Attorney, Karabo Tebape’s efforts to secure his client’s freedom, Mokgopa got his wish and Tajbhai was remanded in custody until his next mention, set for 13 March.
Tajbhai is accused of gunning down taxi driver, Ofitlhile Ofitlhile, on the evening of Tuesday 24th January outside his house in Molepolole’s Borakalalo ward.
It is believed he had hired the taxi-man to drive him home from Borakalalo Choppies, requesting a special.
The pair arrived at the house to find the Fire Brigade hard at work putting out a fire on the premises.
The suspect is said to have gone into the house to get the taxi fare but when he reappeared a few minutes later, refused to pay and told Ofitlhile to leave.
When the taxi man demanded his payment, the suspect is said to have returned to get a shotgun, before instructing Ofitlhile to get out of the vehicle to get his money.
It was then that he allegedly opened fire in full view of the public.
When the news reached Ofitlhile’s fellow taxi drivers, they immediately organised a man hunt for the accused, who had allegedly sped off in the victim’s car – a silver Toyota Corolla worth P30, 000.
They eventually found the vehicle abandoned and torched at Semarule lands. Continuing the search, the taxi drivers finally tracked down Tajbhai behind Moleps Poultry where the police arrested him.