Court rejects Mojadigo's application to postpone minor rape trial
LARONA MAKHAIZA | Thursday June 4, 2026 15:05
Mojadigo, pastor at Divine Anointing Church International is currently serving a 20 -year sentence for a rape charge. He was sentenced last year before Mochudi Magistrate Court.
Appearing before court today, Mojadigo made a plea to further postpone commencement citing that he is not ready to proceed due to financial constraints as a ground for his application.
“I am not ready to proceed with trial because I am in custody. Due to that I have been struggling to solicit funds for a lawyer to represent me in this matter,” Mojadigo said.
Pleading his case, Mojadigo appealed to the court to give him grace, arguing that he is currently in talks with an attorney who can represent him on trial. “I am currently in talks with Obonye Jonas, hoping that he will be able to represent me in the matter. The main issue here has been money,” he said.
He further said the commencement of trial will also prejudice him on some parts.
“Yesterday I requested officers to call prosecutor Nelly Seabueng to give me some statements and she said she can’t drop them in prison. I only received them this morning,” he said. The State was quick to oppose that, shooting down the arguments raised by Mojadigo. State prosecutor Seabueng said the court cannot incessantly grant Mojadigo grace as he has been afforded enough time to get his ducks in a row.
“We strongly oppose a postponement in the matter because this is the first he says that. When his first lawyer left, he said he will conduct his own defence,” she said.
Seabueng explained she is taken by surprise that, Mojadigo who said will conduct his own defence, is going 360 on his words. She further stressed that the matter has been dragging on for nearly two years now.
“We are surprised now that on the eve of a trial, he says he is engaging a lawyer. This is a 2024 matter that involves a child. Cases that deal with children should be expedited. We set June 4 as a date for trial and we said we won’t have any postponements,” Seabueng argued.
She highlighted that Mojadigo had ample time to look for a lawyer.
After listening to both sides, Magistrate Thedi weighed in and issued a ruling on the postponement application. She shared the same sentiments with prosecutions that the accused had enough time to look for a lawyer. “The record reflects that trial date was allocated in the presence of the accused and he said it was suitable as he did not oppose it. The accused was also furnished with all the witness statements. He is aware of the charges against him,” she said.
While acknowledging that its tough times for everyone financially currently, Magistrate Thedi noted that it cannot be reason enough for postponement as he was aware of the dates. Having said that, the Magistrate dismissed the application and ordered that the trial continues. The case continues.