Taxi operator gets four lashes

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Friday February 21, 2014 16:24

Shato Wato was found guilty of running away from the traffic police after they instructed him to stop at a bus stop opposite University of Botswana. Wabo appeared before Urban Customary Court president, Dikwalo Monametsi.

It was said that the accused fled the scene when Central Police Station traffic officers signalled him to stop during a road traffic patrol.  The court learnt that the police arrested Wabo, a taxi driver, at South Ring Mall where he was found changing the vehicle’s registration numbers.

In his defence, Wabo submitted that he did a runner because the car he was driving did not have a permit to rank.  He said that the blue number plates he used on the combi were for his taxi that was parked at home.  He said that he wanted to remove them before being seen by the police but he was caught red-handed.  He said that he used the combi to pirate for clients, as he had to make some money to take care of his family. He pleaded with the court to be lenient on him as his girlfriend was in confinement after giving birth to their newborn baby.  He said that he is an only child and has to take care of his extended family and girlfriend.

Monametsi rebuked Wabo saying that what he did was wrong.  He said that running away from the police is illegal no matter the fault.  He told him to start seeking proper and legal means of making money to take care of his family, especially his child and the woman in his life.

Wabo was charged with common nuisance and sentenced to a year in prison, which was suspended for three years as long as he does not commit the same offence.  He was told that he could be given seven or eight strokes but the lashes were reduced to four, as he was a first-time offender. 

Wabo pleaded to pay instead of being lashed, but Monametsi rejected his plea saying he could use the money to take care of his family who will need it more. He was warned to never repeat the crime lest he goes to prison.