Trial Dates Set In Moswaane, Moiteela Assault Case

Lebogang Mosikare | Monday June 13, 2016 18:00

 

Moswaane reported that Moiteela strangled and pushed him against the wall at Block 4 location on April 12, 2016 during the campaign trail of the Phillip Matante East by-election.

Efforts to solve the matter out of court failed hence the matter is now before magistrate, Kaveri Kapeko.

On Friday, prosecutor Mothusi Meshack of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) told the court that investigations into the matter are complete adding that the state has eight witnesses to testify on its behalf.

Meshack also stated that the prosecution served the defence with all the documents they would need to prepare their case. Attorney Isaac Seleka who was recently roped in by Moiteela confirmed what Meshack said.

Seleka asked for a date for a Case Management Conference (CMC) to be set in order to determine which witnesses they would admit.  The CMC will be held on August 9 this year.

Sources who attended the BDP strategy meeting for the by-election said the alleged  assault of Moswaane broke-out as party members were discussing plans for a campaign meeting for the Phillip Matante East by-election.

The maverick Moswaane reportedly differed with some party members on how the campaign should be run and wanted a meeting to correct certain procedures. On the other hand, Moiteela is said to have been among those who were against the meeting because the agenda at the time was to submit daily reports about the campaigns.

Moswaane is said to have insisted on the campaign meeting and in the process reportedly accused Moiteela of having been bought by some people.  Moiteela did not take kindly to the statement, which he found offensive.

In a fit of rage, Moiteela is alleged to have grabbed and punched Moswaane, pushing him hard against the wall in front of his supporters.

Party insiders allege that Moswaane did not retaliate as Moiteela rained blows on him.

Moswaane’s supporters then allegedly joined in the fracas in defence of their man, physically attacking Moiteela before some BDP members broke up the fight

Uyapo Nyeku of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) eventually won the by-election with the help of the Botswana Congress Party (BCP).

The UDC and BCP have entered into a memorandum of understanding to cooperate with each other in all by-elections until the 2019 general elections.

Peter Nare represented the BDP.