Kalafatis' case causes trouble at BDF

EPHRAIM KEORENG
Staff Writer | Friday April 30, 2010 00:00

 

The four accused corporals are Dzikamani Mothobi, Goitsemang Sechele, Ronny Matako and Boitshoko Maifala's. The case was brought before the High Court by the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).  Early this week, army commander, Lt General Tebogo Masire, called a meeting at the Sir Seretse Khama Barracks in Mogoditshane to explain to soldiers why the army leadership has been unable to protect their four colleagues from public prosecution, according to sources.

One source said that they were shocked when Masire said that the officers might have broken the law when they opened fire on an unarmed suspect (John Kalafatis) and said the final judgement lies with the courts.

'He told us that it is unlawful to open fire on unarmed suspects and that at the moment they have left everything to the courts. How could they betray officers like this? I mean, the officers were just on duty and they were following orders,' said the source.

He said he was even alarmed by the commander when he said that soldiers should exercise their own discretion when faced with a situation where they have to decide to shoot or not, 'but I found it contradictory because at the same time, as a soldier, you are supposed to take orders and not to think about them and make your own decision. But again, normally in the army that would be insubordination. So you can understand our shock at the commander's words. He was just trying to wash his hands of our colleagues,' said the source.

'Of course he said the only thing that they could do was hire a lawyer, Phazha Kgalemang, to defend them in court,' he added.The source stated that after the meeting, soldiers who were apparently not impressed by the commander's clarification, resolved that they will not shoot any suspect whilst on duty for fear that 'because we are not protected while in the line of duty by our superiors. So if we were to shoot, we would indeed be prosecuted just like our colleagues. So, from now on, no shooting of suspects,' said the source.

Some are also said to have murmured that the retired, Major General Pius Mokgware, be returned to the army. He also said that the soldiers, out of frustration, have since the Monday meeting been telling all and sundry that they are supporters of the Barata-Phathi faction of the ruling Botswana Democratic Party (BDP).

This is in defiance of BDF Act ,which prohibits soldiers from active involvement in politics.'This just shows how frustrated we are,' he said. When reached for comment, BDF spokesman, Colonel Mogorosi Baatweng, said the commander's meeting was a regular one in which Masire briefs BDF officers on wide ranging issues affecting the force. 'Amongst those that the commander briefed the soldiers on was the ongoing trial of members of the BDF who are accused of killing of John Kalafatis,' said Baatweng.

Baatweng admitted that the four army officers of the BDF 'carried out the act', whilst on official duty, but added that the army is appreciative of the fact that in Botswana 'nobody is above the law. They have been charged and justice will take its course,' he said.

Regarding allegations that some want Mokgware back, Baatweng said the allegations are unfounded and added that 'It could be wishful thinking of some people outside the BDF,' said the BDF spokesman.

He also said that the BDF was not aware that some soldiers have been going around the camp uttering that they support Barata-Phathi. 'It would not be tolerated because the BDF Act prohibits active participation in politics of its members regardless of the rank,' he said.