Murder accused appears in Orlando Magistrate’s Court
Family, community members and GBV activists gathered in court as the accused in Boitumelo Lebotse’s murder made his first appearance.
The Lebotse family, joined by community members and gender-based violence (GBV) activists, attended the court appearance of the suspect accused of murdering Boitumelo Lebotse at the Orlando Magistrate’s Court on January 13.
Lebotse was stabbed to death, allegedly by her ex-boyfriend, on December 12, following a night out with friends and her siblings.
It was reported that the suspect first approached Lebotse’s sister at a nearby pub, demanding to know Lebotse’s whereabouts.
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After being told she did not know, he allegedly went to the Lebotse’s family home, where he vandalised the victim’s room.
The deceased’s elder sister, Tshepiso Lebotse, said: “My son called me to tell me what the suspect had done. I was scared and confused, and that is when he came back to the club, hit me and broke a friend’s phone.
“The people we were with advised me to open a case at the police station, but I was worried about the children’s safety.”
She said she returned home, moved the children to a neighbour’s house for safety, and then went to the police station.
Tshepiso further told Urban News that she was brushed off at the police station. As she was leaving, she received a call informing her that her sister had been stabbed.
“According to what I heard, the suspect found my sister and stabbed her after she walked past where he was hiding. He stabbed her from behind, on her neck and back. She was taken to the hospital and later died,” she said.
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Lebotse was described as bubbly and loving. Friends said she loved her child dearly, while a former teacher recalled her loud laugh and vibrant personality.
Emotions ran high in court as the suspect applied for bail, citing the need to prepare for his child’s schooling. Bail was denied, as bail is not granted during January, and his legal representative failed to appear.
The family has asked for privacy during this time.
The matter was postponed to January 19 for the suspect’s next court appearance.
