Former Old Naledi South councillor, Mathata Benny Mosekwa, has pleaded not guilty to the 2022 murder of his girlfriend, Onalethata Bagopi, as his highly anticipated trial commenced before the Gaborone High Court today.
Mosekwa, 46, stands accused of murdering Bagopi on June 27, 2022, at Old Naledi following a domestic misunderstanding. While the incident was initially reported to authorities as a suicide, subsequent post-mortem evaluations prompted the state to alter the charge to murder, alleging that Mosekwa staged the crime scene to look like a self-inflicted hanging.
Taking the witness stand today, state forensic pathologist Dr. Patlakwe provided pivotal medical testimony that challenged the defense’s suicide theory. Dr. Patlakwe testified that the physical marks on the deceased’s body were complicated and entirely inconsistent with a self-hanging.
According to forensic evidence presented by the doctor, Bagopi sustained distinct injuries to her thigh, scratches on her neck, and ligature marks located significantly below the Adam’s apple. Dr. Patlakwe explicitly noted to the court that in genuine cases of suicide by hanging, ligature markings are typically found above the Adam’s apple, pointing heavily toward external strangulation and a staged scene. Furthermore, the expert witness testified that the configuration of the knot used on the rope was overly complex, casting further doubt on the possibility of self-inflicted hanging.
The prosecution, led by state counsel Ms. Galetlwaelwe Mokhondo and Ms. Seeletso Ookeditse, intends to call further witnesses to build their case. Mosekwa is being legally represented by defense attorney Mr. Oliver Modise.
The trial has been adjourned and is scheduled to continue this coming Wednesday as the state calls its next witnesses.