2014: The year that was... legally
Mpho Mokwape | Tuesday December 23, 2014 10:08
May 4,
Parolee claims four lives
A 22-year-old Molepolole man, Aobakwe Lehupu, killed four of his family members at Ratsheru lands with an axe and a knife.
Lehupu, who had just been released from prison as a beneficiary of the Presidential Pardon murdered his grandfather, grandmother, niece and aunt, injuring two other relatives. He left a trail of destruction as he burnt all the huts they lived in. He was released from prison after serving time for stabbing a female relative, an incident that occurred three years before the incident.
This case is still before court.
May 6,
Reports of bomb threats rock Botswana
Bomb threats threatened the stability and tranquility that the country has enjoyed over the years. In just two days, Gaborone and Francistown were at a stand still after police received tip offs of possible explosive devices planted in high-density areas.
In Gaborone, the newly built Botswana Investment Trade Centre in the Central Business District (CBD) became the target of a bomb threat after an unknown person made the claim.
The Francistown High Court also received an anonymous call that someone had planted a bomb in the building.
A suspect has since been arraigned before the Village Magistrates’ Court in connection with one of the bomb scares.
August 22,
Gov’t loses ARV case against foreign inmates
In a historic landmark ruling that attracted international media, the Gaborone High Court ordered the government to provide foreign inmates free Anti-Retroviral Drugs (ARV).
Two Zimbabwean prisoners had, early February, gone to court over government’s failure to provide them with drugs.
With the assistance of Botswana Network on Ethics, Law and HIV/AIDS (BONELA), the duo sued the government for refusing to provide them with free ARVs while providing them at no cost to its citizens. BONELA argued that by denying foreign inmates drugs and treatment, the government was violating their constitutional right to equality, dignity and non-discrimination.
September 8,
Government charges editor with sedition
The editor of Sunday Standard, Outsa Mokone, was jailed and charged with sedition after publishing a story in which the newspaper alleged President Ian Khama was involved in a road accident in the middle of the night while driving alone.
The Office of the President denied the allegation and demanded a retraction from the paper, which refused. Mokone’s detention caused an international media frenzy with the United States Embassy strongly condemning the arrest. The US emphasised the value of freedom of the press. It stated that press freedom was a key component of democratic governance.
“Freedom of expression and media freedom, both of which foster the exchange of ideas and facilitate transparency and accountability, are essential components for democracy. Outsa Mokone’s arrest is inconsistent with these fundamental freedoms and at odds with Botswana’s strong tradition of democratic governance,” read the statement. The author of the article Edgar Tsimane is still in exile in South Africa.
October 15,
DPP drops murder charges against Moroka
The Directorate of Public Prosecutions announced it was dropping murder charges against De Beers boss, Neo Moroka, who earlier shot and killed a man at his farm.
Moroka allegedly killed the man in Makopong on the night of April 22, 2014. The former Minister of Trade and Industry, Moroka escaped the murder charge, including culpable homicide, and manslaughter. The police instead charged him with recklessness and negligence, which left him with a possible two-year jail term to face or a fine.
Meanwhile, the mother of the deceased has since slapped Moroka with a P2 million lawsuit.
November 17, Court orders registration for homosexual society under the banner ‘LEGABIBO’
In a long awaited verdict for an association for homosexuals and transsexual minority groups, the Gaborone High Court ordered government to allow the registration of the organisation, Lesbians, Gays, Bisexuals of Botswana (LEGABIBO).
The 20 applicants filed their case asking the courts to review the decision by the Director of Civil and National Registration and the Minister of Labour and Home Affairs that refused to register their organisation.
November 24,
Thamaga gang violence gets out of control
A gang of young men aged between 16 and 25 in Thamaga have been linked to reported cases of rape, robbery and murder in the village.
Recently, 10 men appeared before the Molepolole Magistrate Court facing a single count of murder.
The case follows after years of complaints by residents of gang terror in the village.
November 17, ‘Sebina Monster’ sentenced
A Zimbabwe man dubbed the ‘Sebina Monster’ who reportedly terrorised the community was sentenced to five years in prison after he was found guilty of two counts of arson.
The offence was committed in August 2013 in Sebina. In his trail, the convict had assaulted and robbed people.
November 26,
Judgment day for Masilo
The Village Chief Magistrate Linah Oahile-Mokibe will deliver judgment in a case in which Thabo Masilo is charged with rape and robbery on December 24, 2014.
Besides his rape and robbery charges, Masilo is separately charged with the November 16, 2012 murder of a 17-year-old St Joseph’s College student.