22 Dec 2021

A flashback of the year under review depicts a grim year, one characterised by record cash heists amounting to millions of pula.

Armed to the teeth with AK47s, pistols, knives and masked with balaclavas, the daring robbers would, with impunity, pounce on unsuspecting security company employees in broad day light, stirring scenes only see in gangster movies. But, swift action by the police ensured these criminals were brought to book.

In fact some of them were so hell-bent on their nefarious actions that they dared exchange fire with security officers. And, as should be expected, they were always on the receiving end.

They died.A case in point is the one which took place in Ramotswa where two men lost their lives moments after they robbed a liquor restaurant in the Ga-Malete capital. A shot burst of fire ensued as they fired at the police, daring fate. And that was it.  

They soon were lying on the ground dead. Like dogs that would not learn from the doom of others, another group of robbers struck in Mmopane, in futility, as ever-vigilant security officers thwarted their robbery of a cash-in transit vehicle.

Once again, exchanging fire with the police, three of the robbers, who turned out to be foreigners, hastened their demise.

One sustained serious injuries.Some of the men who have been arrested in some of the robberies have charged have ben implicated in more than one. For example, Mothusi Alfred Motomela from Mochudi, and Thapelo Lekobe from Mmadinare have been brough before court for the robbery of a staggering P8.5 million, which they are said to have taken after a daring daylight armed robbery of a G4S vehicle.

The men have also been linked to another robbery at  Mogoditshane’s Turn Rite mall in which the robbers made away with a P2.3 million cash. Although the police were able to follow the trail and subsequently arrested the five in the first incident, a mere P900 000 was recovered from the suspects.However, luck eluded them in the Mogoditshane robbery.

A quick response by the ensured the duo as well as South Africans Mzwandile Mazibuko and Ntholephi Elliot Ntshalintshali were soon behind bars.

The fifth suspect, who is still at large is suspected to have sneaked away with cash amounting to P200 000.

As Gaborone reeled in shock at the daring criminals, five gun-toting men attempted struck in Mahalapye, trying to rob a Security Systems cash in transit vehicle at a busy shopping centre. Once again an ever quick-to-respond police team was on the scene in time and foil the attempt. The suspects, who fled the scene were later arrested.

And lo and behold, another suspect in the 8.5 million Gaborone Block 6 robbery, going by the names Khumo Sakarea.The attacks on security services companies appeared to be well coordinated as the men knew just where and when to attack.

But the police always had the upper hand, such as in another robbery where the robbers stormed Game City Mall and at gunpoint and made away P354 000 which was destined for a Bureau de Change. However the police were able to arrest four men aged between 40 and 45 years in connection with the crime.

Accordingly, Botswana police have resolved to beef-up security of cash in transit vehicles to nip in the bud this disturbing trend, which has become a threat to the security and economy of the country.   

Gay Landmark ruling

The recent Court of Appeal (CoA) ruling in which it scrapped sections 164 (a) and 164 (c) of the penal code (Cap 08:01), which made it criminal to engage in same sex relationships, in essence paved way for having such relationships openly.  

The ruling delivered by a full bench of the CoA comprising Chief Justice Terrence Rannowane,  and Justice Ian Kirby, Monametsi Gaongalelwe, Isaac Lesetedi and Mercy Garekwe was anonymous.  

It followed an appeal by the State, of a High Court judgment of 2019, in which a gay man, Letsweletse Motshidiemang won his case against decriminalisation of same sex.Also to go in the annuls of history is the appointment of Justice Tebogo Tau as judge president of the CoA as she became the first woman ever to hold the position.

She took over from Justice Ian Kirby who who retired after serving for many years.The court of appeal also welcomed Justice Mercy Garekwe who was appointed to the bench from the High Court.

High profile cases

The country judicial system has had to deal with a number of high-profile cases during 2021.

A case in point is the arrest and detention of the former Director of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security Services (DISS) Isaac Kgosi.

He was arrested and charged for unlawful possession of armoured military vests, possession of ammunition without license, fake passport bearing the names of Lerato Hilton and two passport specimen, which the state argued was prejudicial to the interest of the country contrary to the national Security Act.

The charges followed a search warrant granted by the High Court.

Another case of interest was the commencement of the trial of the former Mochudi East legislator, Mr Isaac Davids who was allegedly killed by his herd boys.Mokgalemi Maleya of Ramotswa and Jabulani Dube of Zimbabwe have been charged with the murder of Davids at Sorilatholo in 14 January 2018.   

The high court heard that Davids died mercilessly at the hands of his slayers who stabbed him several times and stripped him naked.

The case continues next year.Another high profile case was the withdrawal all charges of possession of unexplained property, financing terrorism and false declaration against of Welheminah Mphoeng Maswabi also known as Butterfly.
The state also managed to salvage the Capital Management Botswana case after the high court had initially freed Timothy Marsland and Rapula Okaile from the CMB fraud charges and obtaining by false pretenses.

 Brushing aside the lower court judgment, the CoA said the test used to acquit the duo was improper as they had not been tried before the court.

Okaile and Marsland are facing charges of fraud involving part of the P477 million from Botswana Public Officers Pension Fund (BPOPF).

An inquest into the death of three Namibians, Martin Nchindo, Ernest Nchindo and Tommy Nchindo, and a Zambian Sinvula Munyeme who were short by the Botswana Defence Force anti-poaching unit along the Chobe River, near Sedudu Island on November 05, 2020 commenced on November 15, 2021.

The inquest will determine whether anyone can be held responsible for the deaths of the suspected poachers.

The 35 witnesses that gave evidence in the matter included police officials from Botswana and Namibia, members of the BDF, experts from various fields such as biologists, pathologist and members of the public from Namibia alleged to have witnessed the incident as well as relatives of the deceased persons.

Northern Regional Magistrate, Ms Taboka Mopipi will on January 20, 2022 deliver her verdict on the matter.ENDS