Judge Nganunu has been slapped on the face

| Tuesday August 7, 2007 00:00

Judge Nganunu ruled against Daisy Loo in the High Court, claiming that the whole issue smacked of corruption and collusion between Daisy Loo and the Gaborone City Council. At 21 million Pula (actually 25 million with interest) you do not need to be a rocket scientist to suspect that something is clearly amiss.

Then three judges, in the Court of Appeals, jointly decide that Judge Nganunu was wrong - in fact totally wrong. He botched the whole case. The three judges decided that the 25 million does belong to Daisy Loo. There is no compromise here - it's 25 million or zero.
The implication here is that Judge Nganunu knows nothing about the laws of Botswana. Here we have a respected judge who has been with us for years and three other judges do an about turn on his decision. How can these judges justify such a slap in the face?
The interesting outcome will be when the court cases against the individuals concerned are judged. What will happen if the judge in these cases finds that Daisy Loo and GCC were indeed colluding to defraud the city council? Will the 25 million be released to Daisy Loo as per the Appeals Court decision? Will the three judges have an egg on their faces? Will Judge Nganunu smile and say, told you so'?

We in Botswana know there was something fishy going on. We know the truth. What we don't know is how the law defines the truth.

His Excellency the President appoints the judges. Perhaps it is time for him to step in and preside over his appointees.

Sebokolodi