Man whipped for assaulting police

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Thursday February 13, 2014 20:52

It was said that when an enraged Sentsho was told to take off his shoes and belt after his arrest for trespassing at the University of Botswana (UB), he proceeded to assault Matlhokotsa. Sentsho who was charged with two offences, told Urban Customary Court president, Judge Monametsi, that he assaulted Matlhokotsa after she gave him a hot slap when asking him to take off his shoes and belt.

He said that even though he was arrested for trespassing, the police had no right to abuse him and assault him, as he is still a human being no matter his faults.

He said that he did not know if it was wrong to pass through the UB. He said he passed through the university after he was dropped at a near-by bus stop.

He was arrested by UB security guards who told him that they suspect he is a thief. He said that he was puzzled to learn that it was an offence to trespass at UB and swore never to repeat the mistake.

Monametsi told Sentsho that he could have laid a complaint against Matlhokotsa by reporting the matter to her superior instead of assaulting her. He advised Sentsho to always seek help from the relevant people to avoid putting himself in trouble.

Sentsho asked the court to be lenient on him as he is an orphan, has a child and takes care of his siblings. However, Monametsi sentenced him to a year in jail, wholly suspended for three years.

He ruled that Sentsho be given a minimum of four strokes, as he was a first offender. He warmed him to not trespass again as doing so would earn him a year in prison.