28 Nov 2023

Fifteen 15 people (13 men and two women) linked to recent riots and violence in Molepolole appeared before the Molepolole Magistrate’s Court on Monday and were all released on bail after they were each charged with three counts of arson and two of malicious damage to property.

Magistrate Solomon Setshedi ordered that the accused, all Batswana and aged between 26 and 43, pay P5 000 each and present sureties who would bind themselves with the same amount.  He also ordered that the accused persons report at Molepolole Police Station every day for two consecutive weeks effective from November 28 and thereafter once every month until their next court appearance on February 27.

According to the charge sheet read before court, the accused persons and others who were not before the court, acting jointly, set two huts on fire at Goo-Dira ward in Molepolole and burnt another house at Kgosing ward in Molepolole on or about November 23.  The accused are said to have then proceeded to Molepolole main kgotla, where they wilfully and unlawfully set ablaze the kgotla shelter valued at P600 000.  They are also alleged to have wilfully and unlawfully smashed the front door windows, back sliding glass and right rear tail lamp of an Isuzu vehicle belonging to Kweneng Tribal Administration.

The accused persons were also charged with malicious damage to property contrary to section 333 of the Penal code.

Meanwhile the police released a statement on Tuesday stating that additional charges and arrests were expected as investigations were ongoing.  ENDS