In an ongoing inquest to establish what exactly happened during the helicopter crash that killed hip-hop artist, Sarona Motlhagodi, popularly known as Sasa Klaas in 2021, it was revealed in court last Wednesday that a Methcathinone (Cat) drug was found inside her handbag.
The witness, Investigating Officer Detective Superintendent Makgotla Leeme from Sejelo police station revealed before Molepolole Chief Magistrate Gaseitsiwe Tonoki that when they searched the deceased’s handbag at Sojwe police station on March 8th, 2021, they discovered a white substance suspected to be a drug.
He later disclosed to the court that the results from the police forensic laboratory have indicated that the whitish substance was Methcathinone (Cat) drug.
Detective Superintendent Leeme had earlier on mentioned that the post-mortem was conducted by Dr Patlakwe at Princess Marina Hospital mortuary on March 9th, 2021 and some samples were taken for the purpose of testing alcohol, poisoning and sexual assault.
“On March 11th, 2021 the same samples were taken to the police forensic laboratory. On the 15th April I received the affidavits which showed that there were no traces of poisoning and no DNA for sexual assault. The second affidavit showed that there was alcohol content in deceased blood,” explained the top cop.
The police officer revealed to the court that by the time he conducted the investigations when the corpse was already at the hospital, he discovered that Motlhagodi had broken right thigh and had a deep wound on the same thigh, with some bruises on the right hand and scratches on the forehead.
However, the court allowed the prosecution’s request that a civilian witness statement by one Kealeboga Dipheko who was away for an interview in Kasane, be submitted through Detective Superintendent Leeme to avoid delaying the matter.
In conclusion before Chief Magistrate Tonoki ordered the prosecution to bring an independent pilot witness who can assist the court to explain what could lead a plane to crash.
He said it was necessary to have an independent pilot witness suggesting any experienced pilot from Botswana Defence Force since there were two pilots testifying in the inquest,being Leonard Matenje and a police pilot Senior Superintendent Molisi Kebe alleged to be Matenje’s friend.
The celebrated singer, rapper and song writer died at the age of 27 in a helicopter crash on March 5th, 202. She was allegedly accompanying her friend Matenje to his game farm at Xumabee near Sojwe in Kweneng District.