Marvin Pelonomi Radihephi, the 38-year-old married pastor, is suspected of killing 48-year-old Warricious Bhunu after allegedly soliciting services from her.

Radihephi appeared before the Maun Magistrate Court but was not asked to plead. He was remanded out of custody on the condition that he reports to Francistown Police Station every two weeks.

The police are waiting for DNA and post-mortem results, which will guide the Directorate of Public Prosecutions on how to proceed with the case. The DNA tests from a used condom are also expected to be used to either bury or exonerate Radihephi.

The circumstances of the case are that Radihephi hired Bhunu for her charms for two days. The pastor is alleged to have solicited  Bhuni’s services two days before Christmas Day while visiting his home village of Maun.

The pastor, who lives in Francistown with his wife, went to Maun, where he met with a female friend. They spent most of the day together before he later drove her back and borrowed her car, a VW.

He is alleged to have spent the night with Bhunu at her rented room as the VW car was spotted parked outside the house. The next morning, on Christmas Eve, which was a Saturday, Radihephi reportedly emerged from the room and sat in the car.

One of Bhunu’s friends came to see her and asked Radihephi, whose vehicle was parked in front of Bhunu’s doorstep if the woman was in. The woman went in but soon emerged screaming for help after finding Bhunu dead. Bhunu was lying naked on the floor, and beside her were some used condoms.

It is alleged that Radihephi, who was sitting in the parked car, sped off, but witnesses had noted down the car registration numbers. The matter was then reported to the police, and the owner of the car was tracked down. The owner of the car told the police that she had lent the vehicle to Pastor Radihephi, who was later arrested while in possession of the same car.

Bhunu’s body has since been repatriated back home, and she was buried last month. The case is ongoin