Accused pleads not guilty to rape, defilement

MAUN - A 26-year-old Pitso Samoxhiki of Gumare on Friday pleaded not guilty to two separate charges of rape and defilement.
Samoxhiki is accused defiling a 14-year-old primary school pupil at Sedie Ward in Maun on April 17.
He is also alleged to have raped a woman at Logonono Ward in Gumare on October 8, last year.
The prosecutor, Ms Mompoloki Gaboiphiwe told the court that investigations of the case are already complete and the state is ready to proceed with trial.
Ms Gaboiphiwe asked the court that the two cases be heard at the Maun Magistrate Court, saying it becomes a logistical problem when one case is heard in Gumare and another in Maun.
Before the court adjourned, Samoxhiki applied for bail, which was turned down by the magistrate because the accused had earlier failed to show up in court.
Samoxhiki, who has no legal representation, argued that he missed his mention date because he was sick but the magistrate was not convinced.
He will appear for mention on March 6.