The case involves Moatlhodi, two others and a tree which produces mangoes. The mango fruit is considered to be a sacred fruit because Buddha himself is said to have meditated under the cool shade of a mango tree. But, there is a pending court case about Moatlhodi and the mango tree, a tale his colleagues in Parliament often joke about in the House. Except this is no joke, a minor was allegedly assaulted and a mango itself is regarded as a fruit of profound religious and cultural significance in Buddhism.
Termed the ‘Mango case’, the possible acidity outcome of the case could sour the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly’s delicious sweet return to the House as Speaker in the 13th Parliament. Moatlhodi did not participate in the recent Botswana Democratic Party (BDP) primary elections and will not seek re-election in Tonota because he is eyeing the Speaker’s position, which is currently held by Phandu Skelemani. But temperatures changed this week when it was revealed that the case, which some thought had died following Moatlhodi’s defection to the BDP in 2021 will return for trial in November, right after the elections. The outgoing legislator alongside Maranyane Kebitsang and Nnyana Kebitsang are accused of acting in concert to assault a 12-year-old in Tonota on January 30, 2019. It is said that the minor incurred the wrath of the accused after he allegedly stole some mangoes from the Kebitsangs homestead. One of the accused, Maranyane, has since died. The accused are alleged to have thereafter unleashed a vicious dog to bite the child, causing him puncture wounds and bruises on his face and body contrary to the Children’s Act.
