Botswana: Witness Narrates Accused Story

A witness in a case in which Moagi Gabantheetse and Lyod Choto are facing two counts of robbery and theft of motor vehicle, Mmoloki Modiakgotla has told Maun Magistrate Court that he met the accused persons in January 2019, when he together with his friend, Odirile Mojewa were asked by police officers to be independent witnesses. He said the police they were asked to be witnesses when the police took the accused persons to the complainant's place. Modiakgotla said upon arrival at the complainant's place at Boseja-Kubung ward in Maun, the accused persons stated what happened on the day of the incident.

He told that court that the first accused (Gabantheetse) had indicated that the second accused (Choto) had used a pick axe to open the door of the complainant's house. He said Gabantheetse then indicated that the Choto then ordered the complainant to show him the alarm, which he disarmed. He told the court that Gabantheetse then narrated that Choto demanded money from the complainant and the complainant gave him P300.

He further said Gabantheetse said that he took the complainant outside the house after demanding the automatic teller machine card, with intention to withdraw cash, tied her arms behind her and put her in her vehicle, which was driven by Choto. Modiakgotla said the accused persons then went to show the police officers the playground where the complainant was tied at Gxhabara, as well as the place where the vehicle was abandoned in Boseja ward. He said Choto said that two camp chairs, a car radio and a hand pump were taken by Gabantheetse.

The other two witnesses, Kavenata Hikuama and Phenyo Boatametse testified about the car radio, which was allegedly bought by Hikuama from Gabantheetse. According to the charge sheet, the two accused persons on September 30, 2018 at around 2am, entered the complainant Josephine Moetse's house at Boseja-Kubung ward in Maun, while she was sleeping. It is alleged that the complainant had gone to unlock her bedroom door after being awakened by the alarm that had gone off, when she saw the two accused persons armed with a matchet and a pick axe inside her house.

It is alleged that the two men then forced the complainant to get back into her bedroom and demanded her automated teller machine bank card, her cellphone and money and she gave them her Samsung Galaxy phone and P300 cash. The accused persons then allegedly tied up the complainant and forced her to leave with them using her Corolla Vios vehicle. They then allegedly abandoned the complainant in the bush somewhere in Gxhabara, but she managed to untie herself and ask for help in a nearby homestead. The trial, is before Maun Chief Magistrate Thebeetsile Molalu.