Majaga seeks to squash decade long theft case
Lebogang Mosikare | Thursday May 11, 2017 15:27
The ruling Botswana Democratic Party MP and co-accused, Shadreck Mochabange, Tshokolo Mochabange, Semphete Malindi and Goletswang Mpule were allegedly found in possession of the beef and hide on August 16, 2006.
Yesterday in the magistrate’s Court, Majaga’s attorney, Oratile Konne expressed misgivings about the delay in finalising the matter.
“Eleven years have passed since the accused were alleged to have committed the offence, but they are yet to be arraigned,” Konne said.
“This is obviously prejudicing them hence and I am making an application for a permanent stay of prosecution.”
The state prosecutor, Mothusi Meshack on the other hand told the Court that the charges had been marginally adjusted from possession of suspected stolen beef to possession of stolen property.
But the new charge sheet could not be read to the accused, as two of them were absent, citing medical reasons.
At the end of the brief mention, magistrate Ishmael Molobe ordered that the accused should appear in Court on June 19 for arraignment and for their application for a permanent stay of application.
Majaga has on numerous occasions railed against the charges, saying they were politically motivated and that they were only appearing as elections neared.