23 Jul 2015

A 32-year-old teacher accused of burning the Botswana Defence Force (BDF) barracks worth over P4 million in 2013 has a prima facie case to answer.

Giving a ruling on whether the accused, Bonno Ikanyeng has a case to answer or not, Magistrate Dumisani Basupi of Francistown said the court had established that the accused had a case to answer, and he set August 20 for trial.

Mr Basupi told the accused that she had the option of challenging the facts by the prosecution or to remain silent.

He explained that should the accused decide to challenge the facts, she could do so through a sworn or unsworn evidence, and that if she chose to give sworn evidence the prosecution would be given the opportunity to cross examine her.

Mr Basupi further noted that sworn evidence had more weight than unsworn evidence because the former could be scrutinised through cross examination, and where necessary, witnesses could be also brought to testify.

Ikanyeng, whose attorney was not in court at the time, said she had discussed with her attorney that she would give unsworn evidence.

She is represented by Mr Kabelo Gaonyadiwe of KK Sechele Attorneys and the state was represented by Ms Mompoloki Gaboiphiwe and Mr Kagiso Lekang of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP).

Before closing its case, the prosecution had called four witnesses. Ends