Man Drags Wife Snatcher To Court

Nnasaretha Kgamanyane | Monday August 18, 2014 15:35

He told the Block 8 Customary Court president Keineetse Sebele that he heard rumours that his wife was having an affair. He said because he was also suspicious, he decided to spy on her after she moved out of their matrimonial home early this year. A visibly heartbroken Setantane told the court that on July 23, 2014 he went to a Tlokweng house around 8pm after a tip-off that his wife had moved in with a boyfriend (Motlhabe).

“I waited until I saw the two arriving together and entered the house. “As I had brought my camera along with me, I shot a few pictures. I later decided to seek help at the nearest police. I told them that I wanted to go and take my wife from her boyfriend’s house and that I intended to take pictures of them so that I could use as evidence.

“I was given two police officers, a man and woman. We arrived at the defendant’s house at around 11pm and knocked for a long time. “One police officer waited by the door when I and the other went to guard the window,” Setantane narrated.

He told the court that the defendant and his wife, who was wearing only a gown, peeped at them through the window. He testified that they saw the wife running and  hiding in the other room.

Setantane said that as the couple was both naked, Motlhabe wrapped himself with a towel and came out to address them. “He told us that he was alone in the room and denied knowing his concubine. “We told the accused that we saw my wife running towards another room and asked him for the keys as he claimed that it was locked, but he told us that he did not know where the spare key was.

“I personally opened the door and I smelt my wife’s perfume. I looked all over the room only to find her hiding under some of the things that were kept in the room. “I continued taking pictures of both of them undressed for future use,” he narrated. Setantane told the court that the defendant attempted to grab his camera to destroy it, but he resisted.

He said that together with the duo, and other men who came to court as his witnesses, they were taken to Tlokweng Polices station for questioning.

He said that they were reconciled after his wife and her boyfriend admitted their wrongdoing.

“They apologised and promised that they would never repeat their adulterous behaviour. After being reconciled and getting counselling, I decided not to take Motlabe to court only to regret it a few days later when I found the pair sitting and having lunch together,” he said.

Motlabe and Setantane’s wife work together at a saloon at the Gaborone station.  He said that he pleaded with the two to come up with a resolution of how they can separate or how they can never  see each other again.

He also said that since Motlabe entered their lives, there is no peace in the home and he cannot control his wife anymore.

“My wife comes home late. She no longer listens to me. She has even left some of her clothes at her boyfriend’s house. I believe that the two are still dating, that is why I have decided to bring this case here. I want a resolution to this matter as this man has also taken a restraining order against me,” he said.

In response, Motlabe asked if it was wrong for him to share a chair with his ex-girlfriend as they work together.

He said that he was not talking to Setantane’s wife, but sitting on the same chair.

He also told the court that the complainant harassed him and his loved one since they resolved their differences.

Sebele 1 postponed the case to August 19, 2014. He said that the accused must bring forward the evidence.

He told the complainant to bring a camera, statements, the police officers and witnesses along at the next session of the trial.