Magistrate Postpones Kidnapping Trial

By Isaiah Morewagae
Staff Writer | Monday September 8, 2008 00:00

Defence counsel, Duma Boko, did not oppose the postponement necessitated by the death of the mother of Wesson Manchwe. The case involves, Debswana employee, Mmabatho Sekgoma, who is accused of abducting a seven-year-old boy without the consent of his parents. The case will now be mentioned on September 15, 2008.

Boko said that trial dates will be set during the mention date. He hoped that Manchwe will be present for the mention.

The 39-year-old Sekgoma from Serowe is alleged to have taken a Standard Two pupil from Tapologo Primary School claiming that she had been sent by the mother. It is alleged that she pleaded with the child to accompany her and to direct her to her mother's home. Instead, Sekgoma allegedly drove to a bush near the Gaborone Dam where she told the boy that his mother wanted to kill him and therefore she was trying to protect him.

The boy managed to escape and run towards the main road where some people found him. The matter was reported to Old Naledi Police Station and Sekgoma was later arrested.

Sekgoma works as a secretary at Debswana. She pleaded not guilty to the charge. She is accused of trying to use the boy to get back at the father with whom she was allegedly having an extramarital affair. Sekgoma and her lover are said to have quarreled over the maintenance of their love child. When they could not settle their differences, she turned to the child of the marriage. The case has dragged on for over two years as both defence and prosecution have had hiccups.