05 Nov 2024

Magistrate Queen Moanga of Mochudi Magistrate Court has postponed to next year March, the trial of rape accused pastor Goitsekgosi Mojadigo.

The trial which was scheduled to commence on Monday until Thursday this week was postponed on Monday after the accused person’s new attorney, Mr Sesupo Masaka indicated that he had not received the witness statement to prepare for his client’s defence.

The magistrate, therefore rescheduled the trial to next year from March 10-12.

The trial postponement comes weeks after Mojadigo’s bail condition was revoked by the court, after he was found to be communicating with one of the witnesses contrary to one of his bail conditions.

Mojadigo, the founder and pastor of The Divine Anointing Church International is alleged to have defiled young girls who were mostly ushers or members in his church as well as raping one of them.

The crimes are alleged to have been committed between January 1 and May 5, this year at Morwa village and Donga in Francistown, of which he also impregnated a 16 years old girl.

According to the charge sheet, Mojadigo also, contrary to section 147 of the penal code as amended by Act number 27 of 2022 on or about January 1, at or near Donga, on January 8 at or near Morwa, on January 27 at or near Donga and on or about May 5 at or near Morwa had unlawful carnal knowledge of a young girl under the age of 18 years.

He is also alleged to have on January 8 at or near Morwa contrary to section 141 as read with 142 (1) of the penal code as amended by Act number 27 of 2021(cap 08:01) laws of Botswana had unlawful carnal knowledge of the woman without her consent.

The accused person remains in custody while awaiting the trial. Ends