'Snake woman' rioters' case postponed again

Boniface Keakabetse | Thursday January 23, 2014 15:51

Chief Magistrate Mompati Taolo on Monday postponed the case again to February 7 as the prosecuting officer, Patrick Fani, was not in court as he was said to be sick.

A colleague from the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP) in Maun informed the court that Fani could not make it to court, as he was unwell.

It was to be a resumption of a case that dates back to November 2011 when police attacked people who had gathered inside the home of a woman rumoured to have turned into a snake.

Karabo Pheto, Nakisani Mogotsi, Bogosi Mogotsi, Patrick Morolong, Edward Selani, Khotso Sebeko, Omponye Mokaise and Sakaumba John are each facing one count of unlawful assembly with intent to commit an offence.

The state alleged that the group was part of a mob, which was involved in a skirmish with the police as they were being dispersed from the home.

According to the charge sheet, on November 15, 2011 the eight went to the home of Tebelelo Moenga after rumours had spread throughout the village that she had turned into a snake from her waist down.

The latest postponement was a serious cause of consternation for one of the accused, Sakaumba, and lawyer Luanda Antonio for Morolong and Sebeko, who said there was no reason to drag the case.

The eight have been appearing in court for trial dates to be set but this has not happened.

Sakaumba pleaded with the court to strike off the case saying he simply went to the home out of curiosity.

Sakaumba said even the police who arrived at the scene were initially curious to see if the rumour was true as they even pushed people aside to gain entry into the house. Sakaumba said he went to the yard with a Zion Christian Church (ZCC) elder who had been called to help Moenga.

Antonio said his clients were equally worried with the manner in which the matter was being prosecuted. He told the court that the case was very sensitive and has attracted a lot of public interest.

He said the delay had the potential of opening old wounds and putting Moenga’s life in danger. He said he was sure Moenga would want a quick conclusion to the matter so that she may forget about it.

He said a lot of enquires, including in Parliament, were made after Botswana Television captured images of people being pummeled with batons by the police.

 The magistrate stressed that on February 7 the prosecution should come fully prepared for trial dates to be set.