�Insulted� poet threatens to jump country
Oarabile Mosikare | Monday April 13, 2015 16:54
The popular performer Facebooked: “If my country fails me in this Allan Bekker case, I’m selling everything I have including my puppy then I leave the country for good!
“I’m traumatised and feel I’m not safe and so aren’t my fellow Batswana! Say no to racism and gender based violence in Botswana (sic).”
This was after the poet claimed she and her companions were racially abused at Kasane over the Easter Holidays. In her lengthy police report that she also posted on her Facebook page, Berry Heart claims that Becker uttered the words, ‘Ba yaka mabelete a a ithekisang, Ke ta le bolaya’ (‘They are lying these bitches, prostitutes, I’ll kill you),’’ she said.
Berry Heart said she then called the police and their aggressor told them that the effort might not help her cause, because he was friends with the Kasane police boss.
“I will kill you and no one can say anything. White people have arrived in Kasane to take over. What do you want here Thebe Safari Lodge is for white people.
“I called the police and upon their arrival they took us to the police station where we were supposed to write statements as it is supposed to be the case.
“We were ushered into Assistant Superintendent Letamo’s office where we found him with Allan Bekker.
“For two hours or so, I was unfairly treated by Mr Letamo at Allan’s favour saying we can just talk about it and all the time giving a platform to Allan to speak and defend himself,” Berry Heart alleged in her Facebook post.
On Friday, the poet said she received a call from the Minister of Environment, Wildlife and Tourism Tshekedi Khama assuring her that he would intervene.
Meanwhile, Thebe River Safari Lodge management have released a statement condemning the incident.
They, however, absolved their Lodge from the incident.
“It is necessary to add, Mr. Allan Bekker - the alleged perpetrator, is not an employee of Thebe, or in any way associated with the company.
“We at Thebe do not condone raucous or drunken behaviour in any form, and most definitely do not tolerate any form of racism.
“Should such misbehaviour come to our notice, we most certainly will not hesitate to exercise the right to evict any person misbehaving or creating a nuisance to other patrons.
“The company takes pride in the diversity of our clientele, and scrupulously follows a policy of openness and non-discrimination, where indeed, all are welcome,” said the statement.