Having spent the last four months behind bars, suspected killer, Thato Mantswe was given his freedom on Friday after it was ruled he was mentally fit for bail.
The 37-year-old made headlines back in September when he was charged with the brutal murder of his ex-fiancé, Thelma Oageng.
The 30-year-old Ntlo ya Dikgosi administration officer’s decomposed body was found in the boot of her car, abandoned by the side of the road on the outskirts of Mochudi.
In Mantswe’s previous appearances before Extension II Magistrates Court, the presiding Magistrate, Kamogelo Mmesi, stressed she could not consider bail without a psychiatric report confirming it was safe to do so.
The prosecution had initially told court that due to a severe backlog, Sbrana would not be able to conduct a mental assessment on Mantswe until 21 June.
However, Magistrate Mmesi ordered the evaluation be fast-tracked and treated as a matter of urgency.
Her orders were duly followed, with the report’s findings indicating Mantswe was not a danger to either himself or the public.
As part of his bail conditions, the accused was told to pay P3, 000 and provide two sureties to the same amount.
“You are ordered not to interfere with the state witnesses, whose names shall be given to you by the prosecution. You should also report to Urban Police Station once in a month and come to court when required to do so,” instructed the Magistrate.
Mantswe is due back in court on 22nd February for mention and status update.
