A well-known Nkange businessman, farmer and politician, Abraham Ellece is facing a single count of attempted murder for allegedly shooting another man.
The 56-year-old, who was remanded in custody by Masunga Magistrates Court last Thursday, reportedly shot Hadzisane Ditoo in the back after a ‘misunderstanding’ at his cattlepost on the outskirts of Senete village.
Following the incident, which took place on April 28, Ellece is then said to have loaded the badly bleeding Ditoo – who worked at a neighbouring cattlepost – into his car and driven him to the clinic.
The injured man was immediately transferred to Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital where he underwent emergency surgery. He remains in critical condition, his life hanging in the balance at the hospital’s Intensive Care Unit.
Meanwhile, The Voice has since discovered that Ellece, who stood and lost in the 2019 elections in Nkange under the Alliance for Progressives (AP) ticket, has a history with guns.
In 2016 he shot and killed a Zimbabwean man who attempted to rob his business.
However, Tutume Police Station Commander, Jerry Halahala, explained that the matter never went to trial at the advice of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
“We gave him his gun back. It is the same gun used in the recent shooting,” disclosed the top cop.
During the suspect’s mention, Investigating Officer (IO), Constable Sekane Mosinga stressed it would be unwise to free Ellece while his victim remains in a critical condition.
Mosinga also told court she was still recording evidence from possible witnesses.
“I also need time to search for the bullet cartridge which is yet to be retrieved. I believe the missing cartridge can be retrieved with the help of some of the possible witnesses yet to be interviewed,” she said.
The IO further told court she still has to send evidence to the forensic lab and a ballistic report.
Mosinga also revealed that in his statement, Ellece claimed the victim went to his cattlepost and began to confiscate his property including his gun, which accidentally went off in the ensuing scuffle.
“According to witnesses, that is not what transpired. My duty is to collect evidence from witnesses, including the victim and the accused, and then extract the truth of what could have transpired,” closed the constable.
The accused’s attorney, Martin Maiba pleaded with court to grant his client bail, noting he was not a flight risk and has no other place of abode outside Botswana.
Cross-examining the Investigating Officer, Maiba asked whether she was aware that the accused was the one who took the victim to the hospital.
“You’ll agree with me that for my client to take him to the hospital means he had no intention of killing him. You’ll also agree with me that with the current situation, where a permit is required for one to move around, it’d be very difficult for the accused to run away,” reasoned the attorney.
However, despite Maiba’s spirited attempt to win his client’s freedom, Magistrate Tumelo rejected the bail application, remanding Ellece in custody until the State of Emergency is lifted.
