Rantshabeng wants stay of prosecution
ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer
| Friday September 16, 2011 00:00
Rantshabeng approached Lobatse High Court yesterday to urge the state to award him a permanent stay of prosecution because the state had failed to try him within reasonable time.
He argued that failure to try him within reasonable time was infringing on his constitutional rights. Four months ago, the corruption case involving property magnate Said Jamali and Rantshabeng took a different turn when the accused scored some early points in what is considered more than symbolic success.
This came after the High Court in Lobatse ordered that the corruption case involving the two at the Gaborone Magistrate Court be stayed until constitutional issues raised with the High Court had been determined.
Rantshabeng's lawyer, Sadique Kebonang, had approached the High Court arguing that the accused had not been tried within a reasonable time.
Kebonang argued that since the alleged offence was committed in 2004, according to the findings of the Lesetedi Commission, it had taken an unreasonably long time to bring the charges to court.
He said the charge sheet was defective in that it alleged that Rantshabeng had influenced former minister Margaret Nasha while, in the order of events, Nasha gave her evidence before Rantshabeng.
Kebonag said there was no evidence to charge Rantshabeng. Among other things, Rantshabeng had no interest in Jamali's property, he argued.
The state opposed the application made by Rantshabeng vehemently, urging that there were reasonable grounds why it had taken a long time to charge Rantshabeng.
The state further contended that evidence showed that Rantshabeng had interests in Jamali's property.Justice Michael Leburu is hearing the case.