26 Jun 2017

A Zimbabwean murder accused standing trial before Gaborone High Court acting Judge, Justice Boipuso Tshweneyagae has requested that he be allowed to use Setswana instead of his native Shona language.

Initially when the trial was about to start, he told the court that he was comfortable with the use of Setswana when the court failed to secure the services of a Shona interpreter, as she was said to be engaged at the Village Magistrate Court.

His lawyer, Mr Boingotlo Toteng, however, assured the court that Gandari was fluent in Setswana and should be allowed to use it, a development which Justice Tshweneyagae said would be put in record.

When the case came to court for the second day on June 22, the court brought in a Shona interpreter, a move which did not settle well with Gandari.

Although he spoke Shona to the interpreter, Gandari at the end of the sitting requested the court to allow him to use Setswana when the trial begins on December 6, 2017.

He told Justice Tshweneyagae that he does not want to speak Shona at all as he prefers to speak Setswana because he was fluent with the language as well.

“Monngame ke kopa go dirisa Setswana ka ke se itse sentle fela thata. Ga ke tlhoke Shona interpreter,” Gandari told the court prompting Justice Tshweneyagae to ask attorney Toteng to consult further with his client on the matter.

Gandari is accused of the murder of his wife Omphile, whom they stayed together with their three children at Maipei ward in Mmopane in March 08, 2013.

The state maintains that the two had an argument and altercation which resulted in the death.

Gandari is a builder by profession and has constructed many houses in Mmopane, where he is well known and held in high esteem.

His children are currently staying with their grandmother.

Gandari has been in custody since his arrest after he handed himself to the police.

Though he has a home and married in community of property and has been staying in the country for a long time, when he was arrested his residence permits had expired, a condition which negated on his application for bail.

The state is represented by Mr Goabaone Motlhagodi and Ms Omphemetse Morebodi from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) while the defence team is made of Mr Toteng and Ms Anisha Jeelabdeen. ENDS