Robbery suspect walks free
Broadhurst senior magistrate, Shavarae Mawere acquitted and discharged Stich Wamakone of charges of armed robbery yesterday. Wamakone was accused of staging an armed robbery at the Bonnington Shopping Complex in December 1999. About P108, 000 was stolen during the robbery.

Prosecutor’s pregnancy annoys suspect
A suspect slammed a prosecutor at the Broadhurst Magistrate court yesterday accusing her of falling pregnant and going on maternity leave every time the case is up for hearing.

Suspect assaults police in court
FRANCISTOWN: There was boxing spectacular at the magistrate court yesterday morning when a Zimbabwean suspect unleashed a flurry of punches on a police constable. Chief magistrate, Kenneth Obeng, public prosecutors, prison officials and the public witnessed in shock as 27-year-old Victor Ncube pummelled constable Collen Mpatane.

Man denies indecent assault
FRANCISTOWN: A 41-year-old man of appeared before chief magistrate Kenneth Obeng to answer a charge of indecently assaulting a seven-year-old girl. Balisi Tabengwa pleaded not guilty to the charge. He is accused of touching the private parts of the girl on April 26, in Sebina.

F-town Council admits floods control failure
FRANCISTOWN: Residents here have been warned to prepare for looming floods and disasters. Francistown city clerk, Itireleng Phatshwane said the city roads are poorly drained and narrow and this causes storm water drainages to overflow causing unnecessary floods. He lamented that they do not have funds to rectify the situation. He said they are trying to prepare the roads and culverts for the coming rainy season but admitted that what they are doing is not enough considering how a city should appear. He said it was proper to admit failure, as they have not achieved much. Phatshwane squarely attributed the Francistown City Council (FCC) failures to budget cuts by the Ministry of Local Government. He said the city will suffer flooding like in previous years.

No economic crisis – experts
FRANCISTOWN: Two experts have backed the government’s argument that the economy is not in a crisis. University of Botswana economics lecturer, Dr Oupa Tsheko and UNDP economist Sennye Obuseng have however conceded that the economy is facing major problems.

Crime, accidents claim 16 lives every month
An average of 16 people are killed every month according to the police weekly report on crime. The police have recorded 193 murder cases since the beginning of the year as compared to 179 recorded during the same period last year. Out of this, 64 involved love affairs. The report states that driving under the influence of alcohol is still a major concern and 11 motorists out of 437 who were tested for alcohol were arrested in the past week.