FRANCISTOWN: Government journalist, Thamani Shabani, had to run for his dear life after an accused person, David Holland, threatened him at the Francistown Magistrates’ Courts on Wednesday.
Shabani, who works as a reporter for the government-owned Daily News, incurred the wrath of Holland while he was still taking his photos shortly after the latter was brought to court. According to the prosecution, Holland has not been attending court as required since April 16, 2024 after he was granted bail. Holland is facing a battery of charges (allegedly assaulting his wife Althea, allegedly occasionally assaulting his wife, allegedly discharging a firearm in a manner that threatened his parents and allegedly intimidated Monalisa Mangure by threatening to injure her family with an intention to cause her to omit to do her duty as a member of the civic society).
Some of the charges mostly involving his family members have since been dropped after they wrote to the prosecution intimating that they no longer wish to press charges. Holland was also facing a charge of allegedly being found in possession of an illicit substance (cannabis) on June 2, 2023 without being a person authorised to possess it. The charge was later dropped after Holland’s attorney Wame Tafa successfully argued that at the time Holland was allegedly found in possession of the dagga, it was not classified as a drug. After Holland, who was shackled on his legs, alighted from the back of the police van, a scene ensued within the court premises. In a fit of rage, Holland went to where Shabani was standing ordering him (Shabani) to delete any photos or videos that he had taken. Sensing danger, Shabani ran for his dear life before scaling the Magistrates’ Courts metal fence. Whilst Shabani was running for his life, Holland was hot on his heels hurling all sorts of expletives at him.
Holland could be heard saying that journalists have no right to take his photos (or videos) without his permission. When Holland later appeared before Magetse, prosecutor Gasemotho Pitlagano told the court that Holland had violated one of his bail conditions of appearing before court as and when required to do so. “The accused last appeared in court on April 16, 2024. Holland’ sureties had each paid P10, 000 before he was granted bail. The money has since been forfeited to the State. We make an application that Holland’s bail should be revoked until the completion of this matter. We fear that if his bail is not revoked, he will delay the completion of this matter,” said Pitlagano. When asked to comment on the application made by the State for his incarceration, Holland could not explain his whereabouts. He told the court that untruths were published about him in News24, a South African online publication. Holland even said his life was in danger following the untruths that were published about him. While Holland was still ranting about News24, he spotted Shabani who had just entered the courtroom. Holland then pointed at Shabani pleading with the court to make orders barring the latter from taking him photos or videos.
However, Magetse then told Holland to stop bothering himself about sideshows but concentrate on what the prosecution said about his failure to appear in court on numerous occasions. Holland then confirmed that he had not been appearing in court religiously after he was ordered to do so. “I was arrested when I went to the police station to ask for help. I was around with my darling in Francistown,” said Holland pointing to his heavily pregnant girlfriend who was present in court. Holland added: “In all honesty, the police knew where I was because I passed in front of the police station everyday and I even waved at the police and they waved back.”
In response to what Holland had just told the court, Pitlagano said: “We are surprised that the accused had just told the court that he was not ordered to appear in court after he was granted permission to go for therapy in South Africa (SA). After the accused returned from SA, he once appeared in court and following that appearance, he was given a court date but he never appeared in court again. We therefore, make an application that the accused shall be remanded in custody until the finalisation of this matter.” Magetse then remanded Holland in custody adding that he will deliver the ruling on bail application on Thursday.
Some of the charges mostly involving his family members have since been dropped after they wrote to the prosecution intimating that they no longer wish to press charges. Holland was also facing a charge of allegedly being found in possession of an illicit substance (cannabis) on June 2, 2023 without being a person authorised to possess it. The charge was later dropped after Holland’s attorney Wame Tafa successfully argued that at the time Holland was allegedly found in possession of the dagga, it was not classified as a drug. After Holland, who was shackled on his legs, alighted from the back of the police van, a scene ensued within the court premises. In a fit of rage, Holland went to where Shabani was standing ordering him (Shabani) to delete any photos or videos that he had taken. Sensing danger, Shabani ran for his dear life before scaling the Magistrates’ Courts metal fence. Whilst Shabani was running for his life, Holland was hot on his heels hurling all sorts of expletives at him.
Holland could be heard saying that journalists have no right to take his photos (or videos) without his permission. When Holland later appeared before Magetse, prosecutor Gasemotho Pitlagano told the court that Holland had violated one of his bail conditions of appearing before court as and when required to do so. “The accused last appeared in court on April 16, 2024. Holland’ sureties had each paid P10, 000 before he was granted bail. The money has since been forfeited to the State. We make an application that Holland’s bail should be revoked until the completion of this matter. We fear that if his bail is not revoked, he will delay the completion of this matter,” said Pitlagano. When asked to comment on the application made by the State for his incarceration, Holland could not explain his whereabouts. He told the court that untruths were published about him in News24, a South African online publication. Holland even said his life was in danger following the untruths that were published about him. While Holland was still ranting about News24, he spotted Shabani who had just entered the courtroom. Holland then pointed at Shabani pleading with the court to make orders barring the latter from taking him photos or videos.
However, Magetse then told Holland to stop bothering himself about sideshows but concentrate on what the prosecution said about his failure to appear in court on numerous occasions. Holland then confirmed that he had not been appearing in court religiously after he was ordered to do so. “I was arrested when I went to the police station to ask for help. I was around with my darling in Francistown,” said Holland pointing to his heavily pregnant girlfriend who was present in court. Holland added: “In all honesty, the police knew where I was because I passed in front of the police station everyday and I even waved at the police and they waved back.”
In response to what Holland had just told the court, Pitlagano said: “We are surprised that the accused had just told the court that he was not ordered to appear in court after he was granted permission to go for therapy in South Africa (SA). After the accused returned from SA, he once appeared in court and following that appearance, he was given a court date but he never appeared in court again. We therefore, make an application that the accused shall be remanded in custody until the finalisation of this matter.” Magetse then remanded Holland in custody adding that he will deliver the ruling on bail application on Thursday.