06 Aug 2024

The state is set to prosecute Tshepiso Letsididi for three serious offences: rape, robbery, and motor vehicle theft, which he allegedly committed in Rasesa two years ago.

During Letsididi’s arraignment on Monday at the Mochudi Magistrate’s Court, state prosecutor Ms Seeletso Ookeditse announced that the state had filed a summary of its case against the accused and provided witness statements to assist in his defence.

She urged the court to schedule a date for a case management conference. Letsididi, 36, who is already facing another rape charge in the same court and an additional charge in the Mogoditshane Magistrate’s Court, pleaded not guilty to all three new charges brought against him.

According to the charge sheet, on or about December 1, 2022, at or near Masa Gardens in Rasesa, Letsididi is accused of raping a woman, in violation of Section 141 as read with Section 142 (1) of the Penal Code. In the second charge of robbery, Letsididi allegedly stole several items from the victim, including a Samsung J1 valued at P2 800, a Samsung A20 worth P3 999, P260 in cash, a bank card, and household items amounting to P7 059. It is reported that he used actual violence against the victim to facilitate these thefts.

The third charge involves the theft of a motor vehicle, with Letsididi accused of stealing a silver BMW 1 Series in contravention of Section 3 (1) of the Motor Vehicle Theft Act. Currently being held in custody, Letsididi is scheduled to return to court on August 19 for a bail application, which Ms Seeletso indicated the state would ‘strongly oppose.’

Additionally, his other pending rape case is set for trial on September 2-3 at the Mochudi Magistrate Court. The court proceedings will be closely monitored as more details emerge regarding the allegations against Letsididi.ENDS