LOBATSE: A Gender Based Violence (GBV) victim Poloko Mmemo took the Lobatse Magistrate's Court by surprise this week when she withdrew a threat to kill and assault charges against her husband Michael Mmemo.
Appearing before Magistrate Tshoganetso Atamelang, Poloko told the court that she wishes to withdraw the charges against her spouse as he did not cause her any grievous harm and therefore asked court should pardon him.
“I am here to withdraw the charges that I have laid against my husband because I understand what led him to that,” she said.
Providing reasons why the court should pardon her husband for abusing her while the country is in agony of the persisting scourge of GBV, she simply said he was drunk.
“O tsile koo lwapeng a tagilwe and ga se motho wa go dira jalo. Mme ebile gape ne a mpiditse mme a sa nkgobatsa abo a re o tla mpolaya le bana,” she said. Loosely translated; He came home drunk and it is unlike him to beat me moreover he did beat me but did not cause me any injuries; he also threatened to kill the kids and me.
Prosecutor Modibedi Tladi stated that Poloko was duly advised of her decision and what she could be getting herself into by dropping the charges against her husband.
Tladi stated that in order for the charges to be dropped they needed the complainant to give a sworn testimonial before court, which she did alluding that her husband did not violate her much.
Taking into account the testimony made by Poloko, Magistrate Atamelang acceded to the complainant’s pleas.
“The threat to kill charge and assault charges have been withdrawn against Michael Mmemo,” ordered Atamelang.
The matter between Poloko and Michael transpired on February 20, 2025 where the latter assaulted Poloko and threatened to kill her which prompted her to open a case against him only to withdraw it later after his arraignment.
“I am here to withdraw the charges that I have laid against my husband because I understand what led him to that,” she said.
Providing reasons why the court should pardon her husband for abusing her while the country is in agony of the persisting scourge of GBV, she simply said he was drunk.
“O tsile koo lwapeng a tagilwe and ga se motho wa go dira jalo. Mme ebile gape ne a mpiditse mme a sa nkgobatsa abo a re o tla mpolaya le bana,” she said. Loosely translated; He came home drunk and it is unlike him to beat me moreover he did beat me but did not cause me any injuries; he also threatened to kill the kids and me.
Prosecutor Modibedi Tladi stated that Poloko was duly advised of her decision and what she could be getting herself into by dropping the charges against her husband.
Tladi stated that in order for the charges to be dropped they needed the complainant to give a sworn testimonial before court, which she did alluding that her husband did not violate her much.
Taking into account the testimony made by Poloko, Magistrate Atamelang acceded to the complainant’s pleas.
“The threat to kill charge and assault charges have been withdrawn against Michael Mmemo,” ordered Atamelang.
The matter between Poloko and Michael transpired on February 20, 2025 where the latter assaulted Poloko and threatened to kill her which prompted her to open a case against him only to withdraw it later after his arraignment.
