State charges Boko�s bodyguard
Innocent Selatlhwa | Friday February 3, 2017 18:00
Monamo believes that the charge is abuse of power of court process.
According to the charge sheet, Moshoke on or about April 2016 in Extension II Gaborone, without lawful excuse caused Isaac Kgosi to indirectly receive a threat to his life in that he uttered the following words: “I personally send a warning that should anything happen to Boko there will be a blood bath among the families of responsible people. This security breach comes days after our intelligence received information that DIS is plotting to assassinate Cde Boko and should that happen, we will take out Serowe and its royal family from the world map. President Ian Khama and Isaac Kgosi must be warned that Boko is not Kalafatis. I will personally ensure that not only do they suffer consequences but even their entire families” or words to that effect. These utterances were allegedly made at the height of the 2014 election campaign, after a break-in at Boko’s place, and suspicions were rife that there was threat on the life of the leader of the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Monamo asked that Moshoke’s plea to be reserved as they intend to file an application opposing the case. “I am giving notice now and we will demonstrate that the said statement does not disclose an offence, if anything it is a warning,” he said. Monamo said they would argue that there is a difference between a warning and a threat.
“A warning is a statement of intent to cause harm or unpleasant situation if something happens, a threat is a declaration of intention to cause harm,” he said. Monamo also argued that his client did not state that the blood bath would be a result of killing someone as it could mean violence that could leave bruises leading to a blood bath.
Monamo said it was unnecessary for the Director of Public Prosecutions to charge Moshoke and even sign consent to prosecute. “We see names of Khama and Kgosi, we should have their statements here with Khama explaining whether Kgosi is of the royal family or not. This is all abuse of the court process,” he said.
Prosecutor Priscilla Israel said a threat was caused to Kgosi and not Khama. She said Monamo was not clear.
“I am confused as to what they want. I hope in their application they will state clearly what they want,” she said.
Boko, who arrived in court while proceedings were on, lost his cool after the matter was adjourned. The UDC leader exchanged harsh words with Israel outside the court and slammed the prosecution of the case. “We will get you people when we take over. You will pay for these evil things you do. You are going to jail,” Boko furiously said. Israel did not take it lying down and responded in kind. “I am very disappointed in you Boko. I do not like being insulted as I never insult anyone. You should not be doing that as a leader,” she said. Amongst bail conditions, Magistrate Batho Kgerethwa ordered that Moshoke should not interfere with the nine witnesses who include Boko. Moshoke is also not to miss any court appearance and pay P1,000. His two sureties are also to pay the same amount. The matter will be heard on March 8, 2017.