-
15 Sep 2009 10:31
Edition 476 11 - 18 September, 2009
Running in heels . . . the community turned out in force at the weekend to raise funds for breast cancer treatment, but there was a price to be paid by the men. They had to compete in a fun run wearing high heels a real case of blisters for sisters! The photographs show the agony of participants as they got into the spirit of the occasion by wearing dresses and high heels (not all the men could fit into the female shoe sizes available in Maun!). The organisers raised P46 500 for the breast cancer campaign through sponsorships, donations and entry fees.
ESCAPEES CLAIM POLICE TORTURE
By Keagisitswe Dioka
Another claim of torture by the police has been made in the Maun magistrate's court.
However, unlike in a previous case two weeks ago, the accused was not given bail.
This week, four Zimbabweans, who escaped from Maun State Prison on August 30, appeared before magistrate Mmoloki Sibanda for escaping from lawful custody. All pleaded guilty.
The four - George Themba Bhebe (30), Themba Dube (also known as Tshepo Salang), 25, Loyoit Kare Choto, 29, and Sipho Siziba, 39 were remanded in custody until the next hearing on September 22. Siziba told the magistrate that he had been assaulted and tortured by the police and was in pain.
The claim was made after prosecutor Luanda Antonio, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, asked the accused to be remanded in custody, adding that the matter was still under investigation. When asked to comment on what the prosecutor said, Siziba told the magistrate that he was assaulted by the police but had not been taken to hospital. for treatment. He added that the pains were getting worse and that he had been tortured with electricity. The court ordered the police to take him to the hospital.
In another case, the four also appeared this week before Maun chief magistrate Mmopa Baakile for mention in other cases.
Three of them - Bhebe, Siziba and Kare - had earlier appeared in connection with a robbery. They were also alleged to have been in possession of firearms and a large amount of money at a rented house in Boseja, Maun.
Prosecutor Luanda Antonio said investigations were ongoing adding that the investigation had been disturbed by the escape of the accused persons.
He asked for them to be remanded in custody.
Salang appeared in connection with a pending robbery case.
In an unrelated case, two alleged robbers of a gang that raided the Sedia Riverside Hotel in late August were given bail by magistrate Clifford Foroma after they claimed to have been tortured by police.
The magistrate said the police should investigate without brutalising suspects and also said any evidence led of alleged torture is likely to favour the accused.
Borolong complains about thieves in bush areas
Borolong ward residents have filed a complaint with area councillor John Benn over riverside bushes in their ward.
They are complaining the area has been turned in to a sanctuary by criminals. The residents related this concern with Benn, who is also chairman of the North West District Council (NWDC), when he addressed a Kgotla meeting last weekend. Residents said an area opposite the Thamalakane River leading from old Maun General Hospital to the old bridge is overgrown with Mosu trees (umbrella trees) where criminals hide to pry on unsuspecting passing people.
Borolong Village Development Committee (VDC) chairperson Peo Setulo told Benn that debushing this area is the only solution before the situation gets out of control. The VDC also brought to Benn's attention that policing authorities abandoned and unoccupied houses along the river bank are being utilised to house criminals
Setulo also complained about the lack of street lights along gravel roads in Borolong saying they render the area crime prone, particularly after dark. A resident said that during day time thieves, especially Zimbabweans lie in wait for unsuspecting people. You go to this bush area now and you will find thieves cooking and sitting there as I speak.
Benn told residents not to worry, explaining the area is scheduled to be debushed under the Ipelegeng Scheme next year. He also said the NWDC is in the process of erecting spot lights throughout Maun.
Benn also there had been a lack of cooperation by Ngamiland farmers to help the Ministry of Agriculture in its war against the eradication of Foot and Mouth disease in Ngamiland.
Recently some cattle had been found at Kgantshang and it was established the animals had come from the Lake Ngami area despite the ban on cattle movements. Benn also said the Ministry of Health, through its initiative to improve on the health wellbeing of Batswana, had taken a decision that all patients suffering from critical medical conditions will not pay medical fees at council clinics and government hospitals.
Church man in court for indecent assaults
By Keagisitswe Dioka
A Zion Christian Church (ZCC) member has appeared before Maun magistrate Mmoloki Sibanda for indecent assault. According to the charge sheet, Monkgomotsi Keakabetse (34), of Riverside , Maun, allegedly indecently assaulted two women.
It was alleged that on October 20 last year, Keakabetse indecently assaulted Bone Makuku by inserting his finger on her private parts. He was also charged for indecently assaulting Gomorena Motswagole at Riverside on February, 20 last year.
by allegedly inserting his finger on her private parts.
The accused who was represented Wanano Lumbile, of Charles Tlagae Attorneys, Maun, and pleaded not guilty to the offences.
The prosecutor, Patrick Fane, of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions, told the court that investigations had been completed and asked for a trial date to be set.
Keakabetse will appear for mention on November 3 and the trial is set down for December 3.
Suspicious arrest' helps acquit accused
By Gaolebogwe Moipei
A Botshabelo man, Mmusi Tshibilili, has been discharged and acquitted by Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma on a charge of unlawful possession of 3 uncut precious rough diamonds worth P90 440.71.
When passing judgement, Foroma said he took into consideration of how the suspect was arrested by the police, saying that the circumstances were highly suspicious. He also added that the evidence led before him by the witnesses and the police officers truly showed that the accused was framed.
Foroma also said the chain of events that were told him were highly suspicious and there was no evidence linking the accused to being in possession of rough diamonds.
Tshibilili said that on January 5 this year he was telephoned by a Sergeant Kajata of the Maun Police stating that he had left affidavits for Tshibilili with Johannes Keolebogile, of Lewis Stores, Maun, and ordered him to collect them because he wanted to register the case with the court at which the accused was found to be in possession of elephant tusks and that he submit them the affidavits) as soon as possible.
The suspect stated before the court hearing on January 6, he went to Lewis Furniture and asked for the affidavits from Keolebogile. He said Keolebogile brought the folded affidavits and threw them over to him.
Within 30 seconds police officers appeared and ordered him to stand up. He was searched in the mouth, his shoes were searched, and the police took a clear plastic with 3 rough diamonds wrapped in a tissue. When he was asked what the stones were, he stated that they were diamonds and was asked who was the owner. He said the diamonds were for Johannes.
He was searched by Kajata and Baruakgomo.
When giving evidence, Kajata testified that he was with other police officers doing normal surveillance and then went into Lewis Stores where they found the suspect seated. That was when they searched him.
Foroma dismissed Kajata's testimony as he said they were on a normal search and because the suspect went to the store to collect affidavits it did not mean he was not supposed to visit any furniture store even though he had a case with the police of allegedly possessing elephant tusks.
Foroma said it seemed to him that Keolebogile had been framed.
Keolebogile was found not guilty by the magistrate as he said the State did not have enough evidence and said evidence given by witnesses was suspicious and showed that the accused was framed.
The prosecutor was Patrick Fane, of the Directorate Public Prosecutions.
Proper guidance needed for children in conflict with the law
The department of Social Services has held a training workshop this week aimed at strengthening relations between stakeholders within the administration of juvenile justice and equipping them with techniques of handling children in conflict with the law.
It was also aimed at making stakeholders appreciate the protection that has to be supplied to offending children, charting the way forward on working relations for the betterment of service delivery.
When welcoming participating stakeholders comprising magistrates, social workers, prosecutors, health workers and the police, the newly appointed director at the department, Loeto Dilampi, said it is expected that after the workshop, participants will be in a good position to foster satisfactory working relations among themselves because they would have achieved a common goal of protecting children who appear in courts either as defendants, witnesses or victims and are in dire need for help.
He said currently the School of Industries which provides institutionalised rehabilitation for juveniles is never operational at full capacity of 100 trainees at a time, adding while we cannot be happy to see the facility full of such children, we at the Ministry of Local Government are wondering if this means there are no children who commit offences that warrant sending them to the school, or if such children are there but not benefiting from the service that is provided by this facility.
Dilampi said currently there are 26 trainees at Ikago Centre in Molepolole and the department is faced with many challenges, including trainees scaling the fence and committing the same offences again.
Social workers felt their work has in the past been made complicated because they had always been expected to accompany juveniles from day one whenever there were court hearings and so forth, something that they did not approve of.
They said social workers are not lawyers for juveniles and therefore should not be expected to work the same way as officials from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Inspector Caroline Sefudi, from the Botswana Police Service. said in her view social workers should be there every step of the way until the last day when the juvenile is taken to Ikago for rehabilitation.
She said it is high time social workers bury the confusion that they have, re-build their mindsets and start working round the clock and deliver services as expected.
She also quoted Section 81 of the Children's Act which says any person having reasonable cause to believe that an offence has been committed by a child shall, make a report to a police officer in the district in which the offence was alleged to have been committed. Police would then investigate the alleged crime and a social worker is assigned to further investigate and file a report to the children's court on the general conduct, home environment, school records and medical history of the child.
The social worker would also recommend the best way of dealing with the child.
Regional magistrate (North), Lorraine Makati-Lesang, said for stakeholders to be successful, they need to familiarise themselves with and see if the Act supports them so as to see if there can be any amendments made so that it can also favour and protect the interests of the juvenile.
She shared the same sentiments with Sefudi that it is the role of the social worker to defend the rights of juveniles and see to it that they are secure.
Participants were also told that although some cases are usually prolonged for various.
Editorial
Editor: Norman Chandler
Editorial Comment: Bright Kholi
All should go out and vote
October 16 is the day on which Batswana will exercise their democratic right to vote for the political leadership they prefer to take the country to 2014 when the next general election will be held.
This right is one that every eligible citizen should utilise, as it is their responsibility to vote for the leadership they want in power.
It is on this premise that we call upon voters to visit the polling booths on October 16.
A good turn-out will greatly enhance our democracy.
Voter apathy is not a healthy option. The Independent Electoral Commission has done all it can to educate the public on the importance of voting and also educate political candidates on the best way of politicking.
Therefore, what takes place in five weeks time is in the hands of the electorate.
There are people who do not vote as they do not see the importance of the exercise. This kind of mentality should be abandoned and people should learn to play their roles in such national activities.
We cannot emphasise it too strongly that when it comes to elections, it is imperative that people make their voices heard and by so doing they will not be able to blame anyone else for electing a government they do not want.
The youth many of who will cast their vote for the first time and in all probability be a decisive factor in many constituencies - should also utilise this opportunity to make their voices heard. This age group has been lagging behind on issues of national, regional and local interest and we urge them to start taking the responsibility if, as future leaders, they want to play a big role as to which political party will rule this land.
If voters are not sure of who to vote for, the time is now to listen to different parties' manifestos, listen to different candidates and make informed choices.
Let us vote for political leaders who we want to have in office to shape our future.
Maun businesses fear a proposed clampdown on self-drive tourists will cripple the town economically.
During this time of recession, the government has signaled its intention to make it difficult for this sector of the lucrative tourism industry by increasing park fees by as much as 500%.
Participants at a recent Tourism Pitso in Gaborone were astonished when it was disclosed that a rise in park fees was likely and that self-drive tourists would be targeted. Shuffle hears a senior government official spoke about stopping these people from coming here (to Botswana ).
For example, from last week all foreign-based safari operators have to obtain a licence to enter Botswana . Operators without such licences will be prevented from entering the country
Overlander tour buses are also starting to give Botswana a wide berth as life is being made very difficult for these operators. Increased costs are being levied and a recent ruling that licences have to be obtained for every manner of transport is riling these operators.
The companies say they would rather route their clients through Namibia , Zambia and even Zimbabwe rather than enter Botswana after all, as one told Shuffle, the attractions across the border are just as good if not better than those in this country. The upper-end of the market is what is favoured by the government but somehow someone has lost sight of the real situation. The tourism industry, the second biggest earner of foreign currency after diamonds, relies on foreign visitors many fly in from Europe and North America to luxury camps in the Okavango delta, Central Kalahari and Chobe National Park , while thousands more utilise the mobile safaris sector or are self-drive holidaymakers.
Complaints have been heard from the mobile sector that self-drive tourists allegedly have no respect for the environment in places such as the Moremi Game Reserve but as one of Shuffle's sources said: Far and away the worst perpetrators in this regard are government vehicles, which travel at breakneck speeds along 4x4 tracks, some making their own tracks, and with no regard for other traffic.
Thousands of self-drive tourists from South Africa and Namibia pass through Maun each year enroute to game reserves, paying for the use of campsites and lodges, and buying from supermarkets, filling stations and restaurants. Many also take scenic flights.
The knock-on effect of any difficulties being placed in their way could be a wholesale switch in travel plans from Botswana to Namibia and Mozambique, and to Zimbabwe when the political situation settles down in that country.
In a snap survey of business in the town, Shuffle found that supermarkets and other shops would probably suffer the most as these tourists purchase large amounts of foodstuffs. Maun has six major supermarkets, restaurants, take-away restaurants and other facilities.
The town's filling stations believe they could lose up to 40% of their fuel and spares turnovers, particularly during the popular tourist months between May and September, while camp sites could stand to lose up to 60% of their business.
It was pointed out that the luxury establishments in the delta, for instance, would not suffer the same hardships as their well-heeled tourists have usually paid in advance, outside the country and with little or no input into the local economy.
It amounts to a tough call for tourism in this country and one would think an urgent re-look at the proposals would be appropriate.
Happy Bee-day, Lee!
It was a great start to local businessman Lee Ouzman's birthday this week. He woke up to find a few bees coming out of a crack in the ceiling of his home so did the natural thing. He sprayed a weapon of mass destruction into the hole.
Wrong!
The whole hive came roaring in, and Lee and his faithful pal, Pebba the dog, took refuge under a mosquito net until the danger had passed.
Pebba and I were hostages for an hour! Interesting start to the day...., says Lee.
The Weekender
A picture to tug at the heart strings. Bright Kholi, News Editor of The Ngami Times, came across this pitiful sight when visiting the Nata area recently. He found liying in Manakanagore ward an old woman in her mid 70s - what makes her different from other grandmothers is she does not have a house to live in, and neither does she have a toilet. Thamalalo Reetsanye lives literally in the open with four grandchildren dumped on her by seemingly uncaring parents. Their arrival has made life even worse for her as she survives on her food rations from the local council and her old age pension, which she has to share with her grandchildren. United States Peace Corps volunteer Pedro Martinez said Reetsanye and her grandchildren one of whom attends Nata Primary School - live in appalling conditions. It appears the parents are able bodied and are supposed to take care of their children but have instead sent the children to their grandmother. Martinez says he would like to see the old woman being helped with a house and a toilet to escape the harsh weather conditions. She is not supposed to be living in those conditions. I simply call upon the business community everywhere to help put up a structure for her, he said. Those willing to help can call Peter Martinez on 75014128. (Pictures: Bright Kholi)
Image makeover' planned for vultures
BirdLife Partners in Africa and elsewhere have joined with raptor conservation and research organisations around the world to call for an image makeover for vultures. This comes against a backdrop of recent reports of problems facing vultures in Africa and the ongoing ones in Asia . There have been mass vulture deaths in East Africa associated with misuse of chemicals, huge population declines in West Africa due to habitat loss, and the disappearance of vultures from large areas of their former ranges in Southern Africa because of the continued use of vulture parts in traditional medicine and witchcraft. Other threats identified include power line collisions and electrocutions, disturbance at breeding sites, drowning in farm reservoirs, direct persecution and declining food availability.Vultures are said to fulfill an extremely important ecological role. They keep the environment free of carcasses and waste, restrict the spread of diseases such as anthrax and botulism, and help control numbers of pests such as rats and feral dogs by reducing the food available to them. They are of cultural value to communities in Africa and Asia , and have important eco-tourism value.
Two drown in flooded Thamalakane
By Lets Open
Two men, one believed to have been fleeing from robbed householders, drowned in the Thamalakane River at the weekend.
The unidentified men died at Tsanokona and near to the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) camp in Riverside . The man who drowned at Tsanokona was carrying light household goods when he met his death. Eyewitnesses said that as he swam across the river, he suddenly stopped, waved an arm in the air and disappeared, fuelling speculation that he may have been killed by a crocodile but this could not be confirmed.
His body was recovered the following day. The other man, aged 18, died while swimming across the river from the Disaneng side. His body was also recovered. According to an eye witness, the young Sedie man apparently lost his patience while waiting for a mokoro that usually ferries people crossing the rive and decided to swim but got into difficulties.
The eye witness ran to the BDF camp to raise the alarm. BDF personnel removed the body from the river.
Man sentenced for raping two youngsters
By Keagisitswe Dioka
A 30 year old man Gumare man has appeared before Maun principal magistrate Clifford Foroma on two counts offences of rape and was sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.
Monnaatsipi Mange was found guilty of raping two young girls aged 8 and 10 years.
The offence was committed on July 26, 2005, at Gumare.
When delivering judgment, Foroma said it was clear that the accused knew the victims very well as he was their neighbour. He had been left to be with the victims as their sister had gone to church.
The court heard that the accused had told one of the girls to wait by the door and keep a look out for anyone coming towards the house.
He then proceeded to undress the other child and unlawfully had carnal knowledge with her. He then ordered her to get dressed and called the other one who was at the door. He then raped her while the first victim was at the door.
Mange then told them not to tell anyone about what had happened. Two days later, the mother discovered changes on them as the younger one was limping. The two children were also had blood stains on their clothes and the mother and sister asked them what had happened. They told of how Mange raped them.
The younger victim was found to have injuries on her private parts.
Neighbours including the accused were called and when the victims revealed their ordeal, the accused ran off.
He was later arrested and told the police that he only slept with the 10-year-old, describing her as his girlfriend. The accused also gave sworn testimony in which he denied ever having carnal knowledge with the two girls. He told the court that he ran away from the gathering at the victims place as he was afraid of soldiers.
Foroma said it was clear that the accused person raped the two and said the medical report also corroborated the evidence led in court.
Mange then found guilty and charged with two counts offence of rape.
In mitigation, the accused begged for a lenient sentence saying that he was an orphan.
Foreign contractors may bring in own workers
FRANCISTOWN The lack of skilled manpower for construction projects could result in foreign companies bringing in their own nationals to do the job.
This has emerged from a recent tour of government projects in this region when it was disclosed that a lack of skilled manpower is the reason why most projects are behind schedule.
The possibility now exists that some government ministries are planning to allow foreign contractors to employ people from their own countries to work in Botswana in order to tackle the backlog of jobs.
Delays at seven project - the Dikgathong Dam, Francistown-Ramokgwebana Road , the Francistown airport, the Francistown sports stadium and Nata secondary school - is seen as the result of a shortage of local skilled labour.
The worst hit is the P557-million Nata Secondary School , where the contractor told visiting reporters that his current staff compliment is 50% of the required number. He noted that those needed of all are bricklayers.
It was said the Nata area has many projects on-going, especially the Nata-Pandamatenga road and the tarring of the road to Sepako. However the two projects are said to different from the construction of a school since constructing a road does not need bricklayers.
With regard to Dikgathong Dam, the problem is claimed to lie with local plant machinery operators which are not readily available. As with the Francistown-Ramokgwebana road, these two projects are being done by the same contractor, Sino Hydro Corporation. On trying to find out more about the issue of shortage of skilled labour locally, some residents in Tsamaya had a different story to tell.
They allege that a lot of things are not done properly by the contractors insofar as wages and salaries are concerned.
It was alleged by one employee that citizen plant operators are given less money compared to Chinese or other expatriate operators.
This is said to have led to a number of labour cases at the Francistown Labour Office and leading to the shortage in manpower. The contractors claim the shortage has nothing to do with the labour cases but rather due to the shortage of skilled staff.
Some residents in Francistown also say there cannot be a shortage when many operators have been retrenched from the mines - The issue here is not about non-availability of operators but failure to pay operators adequately, said a former employee of a mine.
In Nata, some people have indicated that it is more worthwhile to work on drought relief projects than for these Chinese companies. Bricklayers are said to prefer the rates they get when they work for drought relief projects.
It appears that companies may have to be helped to secure such skills from outside the country.
The technical manager at the ministry of Sports, Youth and Culture, Keitsile Kutoro, told journalists at Francistown stadium that his ministry had decided to go out of the way to help contractors to get the skills needed.
He said this was necessary to ensure that the project is finished in time for the World Cup next year in South Africa . It also appears other contractors will get assistance.
Some people say this might be a loophole through which contractors will avoid paying local workers well, because then they can bring in their own employees from the contractors' home countries.
Convict Gweta accused' - prosecutor
By Keagisitswe Dioka
The prosecutor in the Gweta robbery case, Pascal Mhandu, this week asked the Maun magistrate's court to convict three accused.
Mhandu said this during his final submission before magistrate Rebecca Motsamai.
He said the evidence is overwhelming against the accused persons - Ephraim Mpofu, Gasemotho Keleemetse and Bonani Matebesi - as it has been testified by the accomplice witness, Lemogang Chinyepi, when giving his testimony before court and by Mathews Gaobodiwe.
The case arises from the theft of a substantial amount of money from a filling station on the outskirts of Gweta which also saw an employee bundled into a vehicle and taken into the bush. Mhandu said Chinyepi was a trusted witness and that a court can rely on his testimony. What makes him to trust Chinyepi was the cellphone which was stolen from Gaobodiwe at the time he (Gaobodiwe) was loaded into a car boot. He said the phone was identified to be the one which was stolen from Gaobodiwe.
He said it was clear that Mpofu was involved in the robbery case as he was working with Gaobodiwe and that, according to Chinyepi, he directed the robbers to Gaobodiwe's place. Mhandu said Mpofu was involved and asked the court to find him guilty.
He said Chinyepi testified that he was with the other accused persons and that they were a gang of six when robbing the Trans Makgadikgadi Filling Station shop. Mhandu said Keleemetse he organised the trip and directed other accused from Francistown to Gweta where the robbery was going to take place. He added that Keleemetse supplied cellphone numbers of all who were to be involved.
He said it was clear that Keleemetse gave Chinyepi the cellphone which was later identified by the owner.
Mhandu dismissed the accused's evidence that he was in Tonota with his girlfriend and described this as an after-thought as he never mentioned it at the time he was arrested.
Mhandu also asked for Matebesi to be found guilty He said the statement recorded by Matebesi when he was arrested that he was with Balisi Tabengwa and were going to Sebina for a wedding during the night of robbery was false.
He said this was countered by Tabengwa himself as he denied ever going with Matebesi to a funeral but however said they once met at a wedding but he was not sure about the dates. The accused persons opted to give written submissions. Two other accused persons - Isaac Boyace and Nyerenda Nyerenda - are still at large.
All the accused were charged with robbing Trans Makgadikgadi on May 20, 2007 and stole money amounting to P15 000. Judgment is on September 16.
Holiday permits for bus companies
The Department of Road Transport and Safety is accepting applications for temporary permits for the coming Independence holidays.
Public transport operators on long routes can their applications at DRTS Headquarters in Gaborone .
The department will accept applications from September 14 to22 between 8am and 4.30pm but no applications will be processed after September 18. Requests for trip variations over the holidays must be made available by September 18. Permits issued for the holidays will be valid between September 29 and October 4.
Operators interested in the Gabor0one-Maun route will have to provide 60-seater or more vehicles.
Applications for additional local transportation will be processed by the respective DRTS stations and no temporary permits will be issued at bus ranks.
All applications need to include the NTC 1 form stating explicitly the route applied for, a copy of Registration book, a valid roadworthiness certificate, a certified copy of Omang, a copy of the certificate of incorporation and share certificate if applying under a company, and a copy of the current permit in use
Thirsty thief caned for theft
A thirsty man found this week that while times are hard, so is the cane.
The 25 year old from Disaneng ward in Maun appeared before the Maun Customary Court facing a charge of burglary and theft.
According to Constable Londani King, of Botswana Police Service, Mothusi Friday trespassed into Onnei Monnaamasole's yard in Newtown on September 2 at about 3am and broke into the house.
The court heard he stole 2 pints of Chibuku beer valued at P10 and about P400.
Friday pleaded not guilty to both charges. He said he can only plead guilty if charged with the offence of trespassing.
Giving evidence before the court, Monnaamasole said during the early morning of September 2 he heard dogs barking loudly. When he woke up, he found one Kelebogile's door open with a light moving from one point to the other.
The accused ignored and passed me standing by the door when he was leaving the house and was holding 2 pints of Chibuku, Monnaamasole said.
He further told the court that when he tried to stop Friday, he threw a pint of Chibuku onto his face before he started fighting him. While they were fighting, Monnaamasole shouted for help from neighbours who then came to his rescue.
In cross examination, Friday asked what exhibit can you produce before the court in connection to your allegation that I broke and entered into Kelebogile's house? Monnaamasole said he could produce his torn t-shirt, that he was wearing when they were fighting, empty boxes of Chibuku and people who found them fighting. He added that on the arrival of police officers, they asked the accused what he was looking for in the yard in the early morning
Friday answered them by saying he wanted to buy a cigarette.
A witness, Mmabatho Obonye, said on her arrival at the scene she found the accused grabbing Monnaamasole down and was rescued by a man known as K.
Giving evidence in his defence, Friday said after he found Rra Di Nama bar closed around 10pm, he went to Monnaamasole's place to look for cigarettes - there was a door ajar. I knocked and got no answer from the house. I then heard a voice from nowhere asking me who I was, he added. He further told the court that the person who was asking the question then started fighting him. The evidence is enough and you are to be sentenced, Kgosi Charles Letsholathebe told the accused.
In mitigation, Friday said, I am a breadwinner for our family. I am responsible for taking care of my family's livestock and also waiting for my reply after applying to pursue a course in computer studies at National Institute of Information Technologies (NIIT) in Maun
Kgosi Letsholathebe sentenced Friday to 3 strokes of the cane for house breaking and 2 strokes for theft both, on his bare buttocks with no option of a fine.
He then ordered the accused to pay Monnaamasole the sum of P410 within 6 months and failure to comply would result in him being imprisoned for 2 months.
Presidential nominations due soon
While the date for a general election is October 16, the next important date is the nominations for president.
Following on the dissolution of parliament on August 21, a general election must be held within 60 days of the dissolution in accordance with Section 90(3) of the Constitution and once that was decided, nomination day for presidential elections must be held on the first Saturday following the expiry of 20 days from the date of dissolution.
In accordance with the Presidential elections (Supplementary Provisions) Act, this means that nominations have to be made by September 12.
The nomination day for parliamentary and council candidates must also be held not less than 5 and not more than 10 days after the nomination day.
Zimbabwe to host COSAFA tourney
The ball has been set rolling for the Confederation of Southern African Football Association (COSAFA) Challenge Cup tournament in Zimbabwe .
The draw will be conducted this month with the event scheduled to start on October 8, and the final played in Harare on November 1.
Botswana Football Association (BFA) chief executive Tosh Kgotlele said they have confirmed that Botswana will be participating in the tournament. He said the only problem is that the BFA was notified late and it will mean a re-look at the Be Mobile Premier League fixture list.
League officials have already drafted their fixtures in preparation for the start of the season next weekend. The other problem that worries the BFA is that the date of the tournament does not fall within the FIFA calendar.
We thought the tournament would fall in the FIFA calendar, and that would enable us enough time for preparation and also to give chance to participating countries to field their strongest teams, said Kgotlele.
Kgotlele said the BFA and the premier league have also to sit down to discuss the up- coming Zebras' game against China scheduled for September 30.
At the moment all is in the right direction, we have started our talks and we will continue to engage each other to ensure the Zebras and the league programmes both run smoothly.
Kgotlele also applauded the Stanley Tshosane-led technical team for their effort to play around with all players to get the right combination. I am happy at what is happening at the moment, the coach is working hard enough to bring in more young players to the team so that they can gain international exposure. We need to start looking ahead for the future, and that is something one can commend the coach and his technical team, Kgotlele added.
Fair play urged by FIFA
FIFA boss Seth Blatter has urged footballers to show more fair play.
He is using the FIFA World Cup qualifying matches and the official FIFA Fair Play to send out a strong message calling for fair play on and off the pitch - Fair play should come before anything else in football.
Through football, we protect and communicate the strong basic values that children and young people need, such as solidarity, tolerance, respect and discipline. Football is a school of life, said Blatter. It teaches us how to win as a team, but also how to lose as a team.
The fair play principles of world football's governing body will be the focus of attention once again through the qualifying stages, with points up for grabs in dozens of stadiums around the world in the race to qualify for the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa . He added that it was even more important in vital matches such as these to uphold the values of fair play. They should encapsulate the sporting, moral and ethical principles for which FIFA has always stood and leave a lasting impression. Meanwhile, Ghana became the first African nation to secure a place in the 2010 World Cup. Brazil and England also qualified this week. Cup qualifiers so far are hosts South Africa ; (Africa) Ghana ; (Asia) Japan , Australia , South Korea , North Korea ; (Europe; Netherlands , England ; (South America) Brazil .
Motlakase powering up for the elite league
- Newly-promoted Motlakase Power Dynamos are leaving no stone unturned in their bid to be a permanent fixture in the elite league.
The have unveiled grand plans to secure their ambitions- the first one being the construction of their own stadium in Palapye. In the meantime they will use the Francistown Stadium as their base.
According to public relations officer Monty Gagomokgwa they have several players that they are targeting to beef up a squad that is lacking in premiership experience.
Already they have signed defender-cum-midfielder from Jwaneng Comets, Zimbabwean Marshall Gono to shore up their defence.
Another target Monametsi Sunday Kelebale of Extension Gunners has been priced beyond Motlakase's reach as the P80 000 asking price seems to have jolted the minnows into getting their priorities right. With a huge construction bill to deal with, Motlakase opted to route their money to the latter rather than a player whose form has been at best patchy. They have however recruited a number of starlets to beef up their team.
The team has been involved in a series of friendlies to prepare for the new season. They have drawn 1-1 with Police XI and lost 2-1 to Miscellaneous before losing to both Ecco City Greens and BMC FC by 3-1 margins. Motlakase has also crossed the border to play Vodacom league side Pietersburg Naughty Boys, a match which they won 1-0.
One thing they would be hoping for is a favourable fixture list that would not pit them against the stronger sides especially at the beginning of the season as they try to find their footing.
Badminton teams to play Namibia
Botswana Badminton Association is hosting Namibia this weekend in a series of matches in Gaborone . This event is part of an exchange and development programme between the two countries as they strive to improve the game. The Botswana teams are Under-15: Boys - Richard Mokgoro, Moemisi Wankie, Mothusi Marumo. Girls: Dodo Bantusitse, Masego Seniors men: Oreeditse Thela, Mpiwa Bosenogile, Tebogo Ramotlopi, Tholego Chamo, Martin Ngwanabotho. Women: Kgalaletso Kegakilwe, Botho Makubate, Lesego Kgsosidiile Veterans: Benard Gondo, Ms E. Hassen, Jonathan Carline, Ms N. Gureja, Moagi Gaborone, Dr Zhang, Milind Kumar, Mmetla Masire
Inline hockey rules change helps
The Mukwa Leafs inline hockey team that did well in Swakopmund recently
The Namibian Inline Hockey Association (NISA) has made significant changes to the rules of inline hockey scrapping the off side and icing laws.
The result is a much more open and free flowing game with far fewer stoppages and a much more fun game both to watch and to play.
At the recent championships in Swakopmund, Maun's Mukwa Leafs adapted very quickly to the new rules and finished second in the Masters division behind Coastal Pirates, from Swakopmund.
The Badgers and Old Crocks, from Windhoek , and the Scorpions, from Otjiwarongo, rounded out the field.
Mukwa Leafs Gardens in Disaneng have now officially embraced the new rules and interested players and spectators are invited to visit the rink (tel 6862872).
Stadium shortage hampers preparations
Botswana Football Association CEO Tosh Kgotlele is concerned about the shortage of stadiums, which he said will hamper the national teams and Premier League games.
In an interview with Times Sports, Kgotlele said that all the stadiums which are available are not ready to be used. We are looking at having more friendly games for the national team before the COSAFA Cup kick off, but the unavailability of stadiums have put us on hold, he said.
The Zebras will be going into camp in preparation for a friendly against China in Beijing at the end of the month.
We had wanted to play more friendly games after the China match, but as for now we are still hoping to acquire proper stadiums, or otherwise we will be forced to play away games, he added.
The University of Botswana Stadium and sir Seretse Khama Barracks (SSKB) facilities have been the only venues available for soccer matches in Gaborone after the closure of the Police College stadium and the National Stadium for renovation.
The closures now mean that the southern part of the country is left with two stadiums - Lobatse and Molepolole.
Search the Site
