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31 May 2009 18:56
Edition 462 29 May - 5 June, 2009
Midnight rapists get 12 years
Former insurance company employee Shandulani Masole and co-accused Thato Mooketsi dubbed the Midnight Rapists - were this week sentenced to 12 years imprisonment each for rape.
Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma found them guilty of raping a woman near Matlola, Maun, in March, 2006, while she was on her way home after attending a kitchen party.
When delivering sentence, Foroma said he considered that the accused were a team and that the crime was organised. What was considered also was the seriousness of the offence and the need to balance the interests of society.
He considered the accused persons' mitigations in which they asked for lenient sentences as they stated that they are taking care of their families and each has two children.
Foroma said it was clear in evidence led in court that the two were with Keolebogile Garenne, an accomplice witness, when raping the victim.
Garenne testified that on their way home from a bar, they met the victim, who was with another woman.
Shandulani, who was holding an okapi knife, grabbed the victim and dragged her to a nearby deserted yard. He then told the victim to remove her jeans and he raped her and was later joined by Mooketsi. They then invited Garenne to join them in raping the victim but he refused.
Foroma said Garenne knew the two accused, adding that he was with them when they carried out the rape. He also said Garenne knew where the two accused persons stayed which shows that there is no way he (Garenne) could have framed the accused.
Foroma also said Allen Morapedi, another witness, told the court that he knew Masole from primary school. He said Morapedi revealed that he once removed Masole's dreadlocks sometime in May, 2006.
The victim said in her evidence that she identified Masole as one of the people who raped her as he had dreadlocks. Foroma said the victim might have told the police that the person who raped her was Masole.
He said issues of identification from the victim was not clear as she could have raised that point previously.
Detective Constable Magawe had indicated that he arrested Masole at the insurance company where he worked and Masole led him to Garenne and Mooketsi.
Masole also led him to the scene of the crime as well as to Allen Morapedi who removed his dreadlocks.
Foroma described he defence which was brought before court by the two accused was n after-thought and only meant to mislead the court.
Mooketsi in his defence said he was at a cattle post with two friends. He said they were riding three donkeys. One of his witnesses said they used two donkeys to go to the cattle post.
Foroma said their evidence was not corroborating each other and it was an after thought.
He also said Masole said he was not in Maun by the time of the incident yet they both failed to raise an alibi.
He said the two were with Garenne, as he had said in his evidence.
TRUST'S ELEPHANT CASH SCANDAL
It never rains but it pours at the Okavango Kopano Mokoro Community Trust (OKMCT).
The latest scandal to hit the Trust is a suspected theft of funds by three board members.
An amount of P60 000 has been allegedly stolen. It was payment for an elephant which, according to a Trust spokesperson, was paid to the Trust by the joint venture partner.
The events leading up to the alleged crime started with the hunting quota for the hunting season in which the Trust was given 16 elephants instead of the usual 15. The board then called in the joint venture partner to discuss the modalities around the extra elephant. Their partner said it would also buy it.
Three members of the board are alleged to have then connived to take the P60 000 for their own personal use. This was discovered by the remaining board members and the three were reported to the police and arrested.
The three have not yet appeared in court.
This is not the first time that the OKMCT has found itself dealing with such issues. In June last year, two board members and a manager were charged for the alleged fraudulent disposal of Trust money amounting to P105 000.
The money was allegedly withdrawn from the Trust's account at First National Bank, Maun branch, and allegedly converted to their personal use. The case is still before the magistrate's court.
Maun police station commander Robson Maleka confirmed that they received a report from the Trust and that police arrested three members of the OKMCT board in connection with the disappearance of P60 000 from the Trust's coffers. He said the three have been released from police custody, adding that police investigations are on-going.
Maleka added they are likely to be charged for stealing by servant should the investigations reveal that they indeed did take the money.
Anti-corruption officials sent to all districts
President Ian Khama says he intends to root out corruption at all levels in local administrations, in the food coupon system and in the public domain. He also says service delivery is of paramount importance.
Speaking to local government officials in Gaborone this week, he said Botswana is not spared the negative impact of the financial and economic crises currently facing the world. This situation presents a big challenge to us to prudently utilize our resources whilst we carry out our mandate to deliver service of high quality to the people of Botswana whom we have a duty to serve.
He added that he expected officials to come up with resolutions and strategies to improve service delivery.
Khama added there was a need for a well coordinated and thoroughly supervised project implementation as he was particularly worried when projects are not completed on time and attract cost overruns all because of lack of proper supervision and coordination.
Another area of concern is the rising level of corruption, especially at District Councils.
I have repeatedly called upon you to fight corruption by every means available to you. This requires us all to ensure that opportunities for corruption are kept at a minimum or better still completely eliminated through the implementation of anti-corruption measures like strengthening internal controls and forming anti corruption committees within your various departments.
As you all know, corruption impedes development and erodes our social and moral fiber.
One of the initiatives I introduced to fight corruption last year was to have anti- corruption officers at local authorities where corruption is rampant. I wish to reiterate my earlier plea to you all that the fight against corruption is not the preserve responsibility of the DCEC, but it is rather a duty that each and every one of you must discharge effectively and diligently if we are to win the war against corruption, he said.
Turning to the food coupon scam that has been revealed in the media recently, the President said it was extremely disturbing to note that no sooner had the system started operating than unscrupulous retailers devised ways to cheat government and corrupt the system.
It is especially worrying that some council employees successfully collude with such retailers as is the case in the Kweneng district to deprive the beneficiaries of their rations while at the same time swindling government of millions of pula.
An investigation is now being carried out in all districts.
Villagers call for police horse patrols
Residents of Tsau and surrounding villages have asked for the use of horse patrols to track down cattle rustlers.
The Minister of defence, Justice and Security, Dikgakgamatso Seretse, was told at a meeting in Tsau this week that it was difficult to hunt down rustlers using motor vehicles as they cannot penetrate thick bush which is being used as hideouts by the rustlers.
Seretse said that to effectively deal with stock theft, the government is planning to introduce mobile magistrate's courts to speed up the disposal of stock theft cases.
He said during the trials, traditional experts would be called in for advice, particularly regarding the identification of animals.
The introduction of the courts would mean that the Stock Theft Act would have to be amended.
The meeting also heard that residents wanted more information on the recently -announced clusters to fight crime.
Maun to have Administration Authority soon
North West District Council secretary Paulos Nkoni said last week at a press briefing that Maun will soon have an Administration Authority (AA) that will be housed at the old council offices.
He said the idea to establish the Authority was a decision by government through the revised national and local government policy to have such developments at some major villages, such as Maun, Serowe, Kanye and Molepolole, to relieve councils of their workload.
He said the AA will work in line with existing Sub Districts and will operate in the same way, even though they will be headed by someone with the rank of Assistant Senior Council Secretary.
He said both council and the central government were recently in discussions in Serowe to get the logistics on the operation of the offices and who is to be affected as they will not be recruiting any new personnel, adding that his office, the District Commissioner's Office and Heads of Departments will be charged with the task of submitting names from members of their staffs who will work for the AA.
He said those who come for assistance at the Rural Administration Centre will not be turned away, but will get assisted and be told where to go on the next occasion.
The RAC, he said, will only be charged with directing policy guidelines.
In the meantime, Nkoni said they are busy working on how best to address some areas of concern since this is a new arrangement.
Asked how they will ensure members of the public are given excellent service delivery as there had been numerous complaints of ill-treatment previously, Nkoni said although it is not an easy thing to change people's attitudes, their staff will be orientated on many aspects and will receive tutorials on customer care.
He said the public will also be at liberty to seek assistance from his office whenever they feel things are not done the right way.
Assistant Senior Council Secretary Lawrence Mazinyane, who is to head the Authority, said they will work hard on the improvement of staff behaviour and attitudes towards customers. Through their reform unit, he said they will facilitate people and deal with their mindset because already they have in place a component of capacity building.
He said also that their mandate will not differ with that of Local Government because both are working hard to achieve the 2016 pillar of A Caring and Compassionate nation. He said by establishing the Authority, council is trying to develop a culture that will enable them to stay in touch with communities in order that they effectively implement government policies and programmes.
He said even though he is a newcomer to the region, he has already observed that Maun is not a good place at night because almost all the streets are dark at night, thus attracting criminals, adding that one of the key objectives of the Authority will be to see to it that such issues are dealt with.
Nkoni also said the NWDC has already made a proposal to the National Development Plan that they be supplied with ten light towers which will be erected at different places, but have been promised only four. He said however that this will take a little longer because now many projects have been suspended due to the global economic recession.
Church donates 40 blankets to hospital
By Molefi Manyepedza
The Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital was recently given 40 blankets by the Synagogue Church of All Nations.
Church leader David Rendoh said the church is not only focusing in praying and healing patients, but it was also formed to help the community where it is necessary.
Rendoh said Synagogue is a branch of the TB Joshua church of Lagos, Nigeria, and was formed in 2005 when Joshua visited Botswana. He said on Joshua's visit in Gaborone, he noted that Rendoh's wife, Pastor Cynthia Rendoh, was able to pray for the sick and they become healed. She was selected to lead the Botswana branch.
These blankets will be used by patients and will help them keep warm in winter, he added.
Ngamiland assistant district officer Gaehetswe Maphakwane appreciated the donation on behalf of Ngamiland district.
The chairperson of Ngamiland Local Organizing Committee (NGALOCOCO) Olga Seretse said at the ceremony that the main duty of the committee was to link government and the community in a way that both can benefit from the other.
My committee did research locally in which we established that there is a shortage of blankets at LMH, she added.
Seretse further said the committee requested blankets from Synagogue church.
The chairperson of the LMH advisory committee, Motlhale Motsamai, asked the church to keep on helping the community.
Synagogue Church recently donated P10 000 to flood victims in the Okavango.
Blankets and food donation to orphans
Happy Home Academy , an English medium Pre School in Maun, has donated 60 blankets and food items valued at P 4 690 to orphans of the Motse wa Tsholofelo (The Village of Hope) centre.
Speaking at the handover of the donation, North West District Council deputy chairman, Tebogo Bethia said caring for the less privileged is everyone's responsibility and not only the government. Bethia said it is imperative that the business community play a part in this endeavor. As we are all working towards the attainment of Vision 2016 pillar of a compassionate, just and a caring nation it is imperative that everyone's does their part for this to become a reality, he said. The donation from Happy Home Academy is an example that all should emulate, and he added that the marriage between the two institutions is of paramount importance to the welfare of children. Explaining the objectives of the donation, Happy Home principal Edith Adjei said her school has realised the need for aiding the NWDC especially during the present difficult financial times when the councils are struggling with the burden of budget cuts.
We know this is the winter season so we decided to donate these blankets so that instead of these children sharing blankets with their elders they will have a blanket of their own, she said.
Help for the country's medical services
Botswana's medical services, already stretched to breaking point, will soon be augmented by the arrival of 166 medical personnel from Cuba.
They will be a welcome addition to existing staff levels as it is well-known there are major shortages of trained nurses and other personnel in our hospitals and clinics. Maun's new multi-million pula Letsholathebe II Memorial Hospital is a case in point.
Botswana and Cuba put in place agreements years ago for the Caribbean nation to send mainly medical personnel to our country. In the main they have been a credit to their country but language difficulties have been a sticking point in numerous cases.
It is hoped that the Spanish-speaking Cubans have been given suitable orientation courses on our language, our culture and our people in general so that they can more easily integrate with what they find here, particularly in the area of medical consultations which has been a sore point in rural areas.
Local investment
It is always good to see local investors putting their money into developments.
A case in point is that of Seloma Tiro, dubbed the King of Nata, who this past weekend presided over the official opening of the new North Gate Lodge in the village.
He has come a long way from the original trading store and is apparently soon to embark on other noteworthy ventures which will help change the face of the village.
Botswana never ceases to amaze!
Shuffle found that out when after years in this country Shuffle finally travelled to the mouth of the Nata River and Sua Pan.
The river, which rises in Zimbabwe, finally flows into the Kalahari Desert's miraculous salt pans through a delta, of which Sua must be the most spectacular pan as it is home to thousands of flamingoes and pelicans. Our pans are of course the largest continuous salt pans in the world.
Sitting on the shore of what is really a lake of salt water is quite incredible and breath-taking.
No wonder it is called the Dead Sea of Botswana. I am told that it is possible to float on the salt water much like the world famous Dead Sea in Israel.
Right now it is possible to drive from the Nata-Francistown road to the pan but during the rainy season it is virtually inaccessible. Looking at the dried up mud one can understand that!
On the day Shuffle was there, the flamingoes were out in the centre of the water but apparently thousands come from all over the world to breed there. That's a sight that Shuffle is looking forward to one of these days.
With the Confederations Cup football tournament in June and the World Cup next year, South Africa and Botswana, too is expecting a good influx of tourists. But the questions these people ask in advance of their arrival, whether it is for soccer or for fun, are mind boggling!
Here are some of the more idiotic that were posted on a tourism website and were answered by the website owner:
Question: Does it ever get windy in South Africa? I have never seen it rain on TV, so how do the plants grow? Answer: We import all plants fully grown and then just sit around watching them die.
Q: Will I be able to see elephants on the streets? A: Depends how much you've been drinking.
Q: I want to walk from Durban to Cape Town - can I follow the railroad? A: Sure, it's only 2 000km. Take lots of water.
Q: Can you give me some information about Koala Bear racing in South Africa? A: Aus-tra-lia is that big island in the middle of the Pacific. A-fri-ca is the big triangle shaped continent south of Europe which does not...oh forget it. Sure, Koala Bear racing is every Tuesday night in Hillbrow. Come naked.
Q: Can I bring cutlery? A: Why? Just use your fingers like we do.
Q: Do you have perfume asked a Frenchman? A: No, WE don't stink.
Q: Are there supermarkets in Cape Town and is milk available all year round? A: No, we are a peaceful civilisation of vegan hunter-gatherers. Milk is illegal.
Q: Will I be able to speak English most places I go, asked an American. A: Yes, but you'll have to learn it first.
Did you know? Every citizen of Kentucky, USA, is required by law to take a bath once a year.
Maun couple attacked on road
Two Maun residents were attacked on the Nata road close to Francistown recently while enroute to South Africa.
Businessman Joe Myburgh said this week he and his companion had been held up by armed robbers when they had stopped on the side of the road
Two masked men suddenly came out of the bush and attacked us. We put up a fight but they smashed car windows and stole a handbag, money, travel documents and other property before running off, he said. It was very scary.
Police were very quick to reach the scene after the alarm was raised. They said there was a sign on the road warning motorists not to stop in the area as it was a favourite place for robberies. We did not see any sign but must now warn motorists not to stop on any roads a few kilometres outside Francistown, Myburgh added. The couple drove to Gaborone to obtain emergency travel documents and have windows refitted.
Recently other tourists were also attacked in the same area.
Elephant tracks on banks of river
Maun residents living on the banks of the Thamalakane River in the Riverside area were surprised last week to find that elephants had passed by their properties during the night.
The tracks of at least two were seen.
Earlier, five elephants were found on the opposite side of the river on a plot at Disaneng.
Huge ARV donation for Zimbabwe
A top lodge owner in Zimbabwe has donated US$750 000 (about P6-million) worth of antiretroviral (ARV) medication to people living near Victoria Falls. Stephen Saad, owner of &Beyond Exeter River, Dulini and Leadwood Lodges, made the donation through his company, Aspen Pharmaceuticals. A total of 23 pallets was delivered to the &Beyond warehouse in Johannesburg , South Africa , and with the help of &Beyond Foundation, the Nando's restaurant company sponsored the cost of sending the shipment to Zimbabwe . The medication was last week handed over to Victoria Falls district medical officers.
The &Beyond company and Nando's have businesses in Maun.
Cuba to send 166 more medics to Botswana
By Molefi Manyepedza
A team of 166 medical specialists from Cuba are to be deployed to Botswana says Minister of Foreign affairs and International Co-operation, Phandu Skelemani.
He told a Kgotla meeting in Maun that the specialists are expected to greatly reduce the shortage of medical personnel in this country. There will also be 5 technical experts who will assist in areas of basketball, boxing, volleyball, sports medicine and physiotherapy.
He said this will be of great help in the area of sports development in Botswana.
According to Skelemani, heart specialists are expected to be based at Scottish Livingstone Hospital and patients will no longer be sent to South Africa for heart related treatment.
This will be a welcome development as current heart specialists in Botswana are limited and most people end up going to neighbouring South Africa for treatment, he said.
On another issue, the minister said the good thing about relating with foreign countries is that one explores and learns many things.
He said during a visit to Japan, he learnt that reeds are good for petrol-making while another tree was also suitable for the manufacture of diesel.
The responsible company promised to open businesses in Botswana especially in the North West of the country where there is plenty of land, water and reeds such as Maun, he added. He promised that even though it will time for the company to start operating in Botswana, many Batswana will be employed.
The headman of Shageng ward, Koketso Rabosigo, complained about the incidence of high crime in Maun, especially on tourists. Galaletsang Mhapha requested to the Ministry of Education, through Skelemani, for the sponsorship age to be increased from 30-35 years as the president recently increased the Young Farmers Fund (YFF) from 35-40 years.
Magonamo Mmolainyana pleaded with Skelemani to assist Botswana with specialists in timber processing from other countries. He said there are timber trees such as mukwa which can be used in furniture manufacturing.
In response, Skelemani said that when trees like mukwa are cut down, they take a long time to grow when re-planted.
Khama and Tawana won't see eye to eye'
Speakers at a BNF rally to launch 17 BNF candidates for the Maun East and the Maun west constituencies at Magotho freedom square have predicted that President Ian Khama and Maun West parliamentary candidate Kgosi Tawana Moremi are two opposites who will oppose each other within the BDP.
Sedie ward district council hopeful Kaokapita Kaokapita said Tawana has already proved it when he publicly berated Khama in 1999.
The speaker's rhetoric at the launch was bent on proving to the electorates that Bogosi doesn't have much role to play in the politics of the country. Speakers pointed out that though relying on the Dikgosi to rekindle its dwindling political fortunes, the BDP is bent on instilling fear in to the minds of the electorate since Bogosi has historically been an institution that has been respected by Batswana.
The launch of Laurine Maplanka as the BNF parliamentary candidate for Maun West was historic as she is the first woman to have been nominated for that constituency.
Maplanka told voters that her main mandate will be the improvement of tourism in Maun and that the majority of people in Maun can't benefit from tourism if it only benefits foreigners.
She accused the ruling party as ignoring the district despite it having many resources that contribute to the economy.
BNF parliamentary hopeful in the Maun East constituency, David Rendoh, a retired diplomat, called on voters to tap from his abundance of experience on issues of governance by voting for him.
He brought to the attention of voters his role in advocating for the reinstatement of the 18 000 beef quota when the European Union wanted its reduction and the role he played to help the country acquire a passage to the seas through the Laws of the Seas convention. Rendoh said he will strive for the improvement of the village's education prospects saying the current state of affairs which sees qualified graduates roam the streets proves the BDP's ignorance of the interests of the youth.
He also promised to help farmers saying something ought to be done to stop elephants from destroying fields.
Debswana bund demolished after 30 years
By Bright Kholi
Residents of Kgantshang, Komana and others living along the Nhabe River as well as on the periphery of Lake Ngami have had their prayers answered after more than 30 years of no water flowing as a result of the blocking of the Nhabe River in the 1970s.
The bund, at the divergence of Nhabe and Boteti rivers near Kgantshang, is being demolished by Debswana Diamond Co in conjunction with the departments of Environmental Affairs and of Water Affairs.
The issue has been raised in the past at every meeting where water flow and the delta have been discussed.
The bund was originally constructed by the then De Beers Mining Company (now Debswana) to block water flowing into Lake Ngami and divert it to Mopipi dam to supply Orapa mine with water.
This was revealed by Ramogaupi Gaborekwe, of the department of Environmental Affairs in Maun and comes after a team of officials from DEA, DWA and Debswana visited the site and made a report which necessitated the removal of the bund.
According to Gaborekwe, the project is part of the implementation of the Okavango Delta Management Plan.
He said the bund, abandoned in the 1980s when the Boteti stopped flowing, has been a concern for the community living near Lake Ngami.
Gaborekwe said in their consultations with villagers and authorities during the consultation phase of ODMP, there were calls for the removal of the bund so that Nhabe River can flow into Lake Ngami again. The project of rehabilitating the river will involve backfilling of canals, removal of earth bunds and associated accessories to restore the river's original flow pattern.
Gaborekwe noted that DEA is involved for the purpose of ensuring that the project is done in environmental friendly manner, while the DWA is to be part of hydrology plan. Lack of suitable equipment has resulted in a delay to the completion date which should have been at the end of June. This has now been pushed back to July. Debswana is using small machinery which is overpowered by the amount of work and also the issue of tripartite supervision from Orapa, Gaborone and Maun, he said.
Gaborekwe also revealed that his department has already consulted with local authorities, village elders and the communities in general about the project.
The bund is located on the Nhabe main channel, about 2 km from where the Nhabe and Boteti rivers separate. The bund is about 150 metres long with two culverts which have two sluice gates meant to block the flow to Lake Ngami when water levels were low but opened during high discharges to feed Lake Ngami.
The two sluice gates do not appear operational and questions are being asked as to whether they ever functioned even during those years. Another bund in the area includes that along the Boro River which was constructed in the 1970s to block water from the river from inundating a one-time rice project. It has however been decided that there is no need to remove the bund as it does not have any negative effect on the river flow.' Debswana has also removed the bund at Chikwe along the Boteti from Maun to Mopipi, and an earth bund near Xau canal. The bund blocking flow to Mogotlho has also been cleared.
Air traffic in Africa down
The International Air Transport Association (IATA) says there has been a 7% drop in air traffic passenger capacity on African airlines as a result of the global recession.
International traffic data for April shows a 3.1% decline in passenger demand and a 21.7% fall in cargo demand compared to April last year.
While April's passenger demand drop was a clear improvement compared to the 11.1% fall in March, this improvement should be viewed with caution, says IATA.
Freight demand appears to have found a solid floor with a 5th consecutive month at more than 20% below previous year levels.
We are not out of the woods yet, said Giovanni Bisignani, IATA's Director General and chief executive officer. The demand improvements that we saw in April are welcome, but the 3.1% decline in passenger demand still outstripped the 2.5% cutback in capacity.
There is no improvement in revenues as yields continue to fall, and freight remains at shockingly low levels. The worst may be over but we, however, have not yet seen any signs that recovery is imminent, said Bisignani.
International passenger demand forecasts show a return to previous-year capacity levels by the end of the third quarter of 2009. Without a corresponding sharp improvement in demand, load factors are likely to decline rather than improve.
Community involvement in climate change
Climate change came under the spotlight at a workshop held in Maun this week.
Representatives from two communities Gudigwa and Serowe attended the consensus building workshop, sponsored by the UNDP Environmental Support Programme (UNESP), and hosted by David Lesolle, of Winter Brothers, climate change and conservation consultants.
UNESP was represented by Tiego Mpho. Serowe community delegates were OO Pitso, NR Ramolemana, OR Mojakgomo. K Gaborone and BM Batsweleng. From the Gudigwa community were D Ndando, M Motoloki, X Jackson and C Sima
Balisi Gopolang, from Botswana's Climate Change Secretariat in the department of Meteorology, urged communities to adapt to the inevitable effects of climate change.
The workshop started with an overview of the development principles governing the Earth Summit (1992) outcomes the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), and the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD)
Delegates heard that being a dry sub-Saharan country, Botswana is already experiencing variations in weather patterns as could be seen from the graph published last week in The Ngami Times showing the magnitude of the 2008/2009 flood levels at Gudigwa.
David Lesolle led the workshop with expert input from government departments. The goal of the workshop was to identify key projects which could qualify for funding under the UNDP Environmental Support Programme and then to develop the project proposals for submission.
The community representatives were given presentations on a range of possible activities.
Eunice Madisa, of the department of Agriculture, gave an excellent insight and guidance about apiculture (bee keeping) as a viable project that would result in conserving the African bee which is threatened by the effects of global warming.
She emphasised that her department was willing to work with new apiculturalists. The Forestry department, represented by Ludo Dikoko and Ishmael Marumo, told how tree planting activities which will result in carbon sequestration. Tachinya Molatole, of the Department of Wildlife and National Parks (DWNP), explained the roll of Community Based Natural Resource Management (CBNRM) and contributed to discussions on aquaculture (fish farming) and wildlife projects to restore biodiversity.
Lesolle stressed the reasons why many projects fail and that successful projects relied on community participation and buy in, accountability and transparency from the Board and Management of the project, and that projects must aim to be self sustaining as soon as possible and have a businesslike foundation
He said Winter Brothers wished to see successful projects which could then be duplicated in other communities who would benefit from the experiences of Serowe and Gudigwa.
Woman admits buying stolen property
By Molefi Manyepedza
A 27 years old Boseja woman has appeared before Maun customary court charged with obtaining property suspected to have been be stolen.
According to the facts presented before the court by constable Londani King, of Botswana Police, information was received from the Lancashire Steel company that 27 gum poles valued at P500 had been stolen from the company store.
During their investigations on April 19, they arrested Fredy Tabona and Kilos Selabe as suspects, who confessed to stealing and selling the poles to Rosah Solomon.
King further told the court that the police found gum poles at Solomon's place. He said when they asked Solomon where she got the gum poles, she said she bought them from Tabona and Selabe for P150 but failed to produce a receipt as a proof of purchase.
Solomon pleaded guilty to the offence and in her mitigation evidence asked for a lenient sentence as she is a breadwinner and caring for a new-born child.
Kgosi Oleyo Ledimo, presiding, told Solomon that it has never happened that 27 gum poles in good condition are sold at a price of P150. He said buying or receiving stolen property with intension of gain from crime is escalating, adding that the court will take robust action on culprits.
Ledimo sentenced Solomon to 5 years imprisonment, wholly suspended for 7 years with no option of fine provided she did not commit the same offence. Ledimo said the gum poles will be taken back to Lancashire Steel store as they are in good condition.
Coke dream ends for Township Rollers
GABORONE - Township Rollers participation in the Coca Cola Cup fizzled out amidst a plethora of missed chances in a last 16 game against a battling Mogoditshane Fighters at the Molepolole Sports Complex.
Fighters held their nerve and ran out 3-1 after the dreaded penalty shootout.
Rollers started brightly but as has happened in the previous games their strikers could not find the route to goal. Pundits had predicted a Rollers victory against a side that is languishing in the relegation quagmire. But it was not to be.
As early as the 8th minute the crafty Edwin Moalosi lobbed Barolong Toldo' Lemmenyane but his effort sailed harmlessly over the bar before the Fighters' captain Mosalagaabo Makwatse cleared a goal-bound Terence Mandaza attempt off the line in the 16th minute. Fighters replied through Mandla Spikiri' Mgadla who escaped on the right but shot straight at Kabelo Dambe in Rollers goals. Then Onalethata OT' Tshekiso shot straight at Lemmenyane in the 21st minute. Edwin Olerile, perhaps getting impatient with his attackers, surged forward and his inch-perfect header was met by Moalosi who headed over.
Rollers came back for the second half determined to gain the lead and in the 49th minute Mandaza found himself unmarked inside the six yard box but shot over the bar. Searching for more decisive finishing Rollers brought in Monageng Thaele for Thekiso and the former was immediately in the thick of things as he laid on a defence-splitting pass to the wasteful Thebe Maiketso who forced Lemmenyane to save with his leg. Fighters then brought in Charles Mositwane for Marko Kamwimba in order to add experience so that Fighters could hold out for the penalty lottery but it was Rollers who kept blazing away as a ferocious shot by Mandaza in the 79th minute was parried by the excellent Lemmenyane and Maiketso could not follow-up to good effect.
Then during the penalty shootout Fighters scored through Bakang Onneetse, Makwatse and Mgadla while Mositwane's effort was saved by Dambe. Rollers scored through Thaele but Lesego Molemogi and Mandaza's penalties were saved while Maiketso shot over the bar.
In other Coca cola cup games Gaborone United lost to a Peter Ngwenya solitary goal and Mochudi Centre Chiefs breezed past a listless Notwane 5-2 in a one-sided game. Notwane's goals came from Keoagetse Barnes' Radipotsane and Galabgwe Moyana while Chiefs ensured a quarter-final place through goals by Michael Mogaladi, Moreetsi Mosimanyana (own goal), Sekhana Koko and a brace from Dirang Moloi. Ecco City Greens Mandlaenkosi Sibanda's and Malepa Bolelang's goals ended Jwaneng Comets hunt while Young Strikers defeated Killer Giants 4-2 in a penalty shootout after the teams were deadlocked 1-1 during fulltime from goals by Nkwebi Letsholo and Jabu Mosalakgoko respectively.
Naughty Boys continued their fairytale with a 3-2 win over Tasc through goals by Ringo Rankgomo (2) and Nametso Oletile. Master Masitara's lone goal could not prevent Nico United losing to Uniao Flamengo Santos who found the net through Mogakolodi Tsotso' Ngele and Vincent Phiri. Extension Gunners also cruised to a 2-0 victory over Police XI through goals from Emmanuel Nlu and Othusitse Spheto' Mahube.
Who will it be? Tigers, BMC or Delta Winds
The battle for the Nhabe regional league title is far from over.
Taking a look of the remaining games a win or a draw for Tigers over the weekend against Delta Winds will see them booking a place in the playoffs.
But if they lose, they have to wait for Sunday when they play Moeti United at Maun Sports Complex. For Delta Winds to go through to the play offs, they have to win all their remaining games and that means Tigers have to lose all their remaining games.
Delta Winds still are in with a chance as they have four games to play but they also need to collect all the points to go through. Looking at the team's performance of late, Tigers have the upper hand to represent the region in the play offs.
BMC have played the same number of games as Maun Tigers and if they win all they will finish with 44 points which won't be a threat to Tigers who on 45 points already.
What they are fighting for now is the second spot berth with Delta Winds.
The relegation axe is looming for bottom-placed Fuji Rollers, CTO, Maun United, Moeti United and North West United.
It seems all have a long way to go void the chop.
Bottom of the log Maun United will play against Cubs on Saturday before they take on Delta Winds on Sunday in a double header. Fuji Rollers will face CTO, while North West United takes on BMC, and Moeti United face Sankoyo and Maun Tigers on Saturday and Sunday.
Brilliant Terrors keep their league spot
Nhabe region National first division Maun Terrors will AGAIN be playing in the country's second best league next SEASON.
This follows a brilliant show by the Terrors in Orapa over the weekend when they held Orapa Bucs to a 2-2 draw, in the crucial game which either side wanted for the points to survive relegation.
Before the weekend games, all of the bottom five teams in the 12 team league were in the relegation zone, but its now official - FC Palapye and Letlhakane Stonebreakers have dropped to the lower division. For Terrors, this was a crucial game after losing last week to Miscellaneous, just like Orapa Bucs who lost 13-0 to Motlakase the same week.
No one gave Terrors any chance of surviving but they defied the odds and settled for a 2-2 draw a result which favoured both sides.
One could wonder why Terrors have to celebrate their survival. It is never ease for a team from Chobe, Maun and Ghanzi to stay in top flight football as there have been complaints from down-country sides of the distances involved as most of the teams participating in the National 1st Division North are based in Francistown, Orapa, Serowe and other areas.
That alone has been an obstacle that has caused problems for our local sides.
Nhabe region has produced the likes of Maun Tigers and Makgabisanaga to the National first division, but it has been alleged that their stay was limited because of the way the referees handled their games each time they are playing away from home.
For a team to survive this situation, they need to win all their home games because the treatment they get when playing away is far below the required standard - and that has played a major role to the destruction of our football.
Maun Terrors defied this punishment.
They fought it out since the beginning of the season which they started off well and finished the 1st round in the middle of the log.
In the 2nd round, they appeared to lose focus and they parted ways with their coach Davies Chibemba. That disrupted their plans as they lost crucial points.
It took them time to regroup and bring confidence in the players who had also lost hope, but it was not long before they started picking up the pieces. When they lost to Miscellaneous last week, no one gave them any chance of survival but they stood firm to stay in the league.
Maun Terrors coach Gadimaang Tiiso is a happy man.
He told Times Sports that they had it the hard way everyone in the team is happy about our performance in our last game. We went into that game with positive minds and one mission not to drop points.
I am happy we managed to survive, but that does not mean that we will sit back and relax. We our preparing for the new season and now we know what to expect, he added.
He also said Terrors are looking forward to beefing up the squad.
We need more players, mostly with height and physically fitness. Those guys out there are tall and fit, so we need to match them in everything for us to survive up there, he added.
Team captain Ronald Sebako is also over the moon about the team's survival. It was the most crucial moment in the league. It was difficult, but we knew we will make it and we did. I am proud of the players and management for their commitment and cooperation
In a special message to The Ngami Times from Maun terrors, the club says it was a hectic season for all, but we managed to survive.
We would like to thank everyone who supported us through all the hard times.
The team management of Dikgathatso Kebonyethebe, Chris Bethia, Bra Kitso Kaenda, Lassy (Delta Winds), Apollo (Apollo House), Riley's Garage and the players - all you guys were marvelous to us despite losing seven games in a row. It was no a joke.
New signings helped us to survive relegation.
Gaoje, Kenny and Sonny, keep it up and goalkeeper Maloba, you showed discipline and determination being alone in goals was not easy, but you never looked back. The rest of the team, what a great a season, we are looking forward to the coming season.
The club also thanked the management and particularly for arranging transport for the side through drivers of B999AKX, B543AMA, B728 (Chris) B950, AOM (Tshephie) Safer (B228) and Bachai.
On the technical side, we would to thank former coach Davies Chibemba for showing us the direction and not forgetting TV4 Ratanang; you gave us a winning formula.
You showed the love for football from the stand to be our caretaker coach and to the youngest coach in first division Gadimaang Tiiso. People misjudged you but you never looked back.
Guys, do not judge a book by its cover. Read it. Be firm and do what you know.
Maun Terrors are looking to more support, particularly from local businesses.
Horizon Stars, Maun Heroes moves to top league
Nhabe regional 2nd division league teams Horizon Stars and Maun Heroes have won promotion to the Nhabe league 1st division.
Horizon Stars are guaranteed in place in the Coca Cola Cup next season while two teams from the regional 1st division will also book a place in the same tournament.
On their way to victory, Horizon Stars played 12 games, won 10, drew 1 and lost 1, finishing with 31 points. Maun Heroes won 9 games, lost 1 and drew 2, for 29 points. At the bottom of the log are Boseja Chiefs. They are followed by Gaegolelwe, Mapalasitina, BOP and Zungu.
In the only game of the 2nd division played over the weekend, Gaegolelwe were humiliated 6-2 by Mapalasitina.
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