18 Mar 2026

Judge Bafi Nlanda of Gaborone High Court has on Wednesday granted conditional bail to Tshepo Sethibe.

Sethibe, commonly known as Moeladilotlhoko, the founder of the Moeladilotlhoko News Boiler Facebook page was previously denied bail by Molepolole Magistrate Court, and appealed the decision to the High Court.

He is facing a single count of offensive electronic communication.

Justice Nlanda ordered that Sethibe be admitted to bail on condition that he would bind himself with P500 and provide two Batswana sureties each binding themselves with the same amount.

He further ordered him to refrain from interfering with witnesses, must not commit any related offence and must present himself before the court as and when required to do so.

The particulars of the offence allege that on February 17, 2026 the accused person posted on his Facebook page: “Ba jele mosimane yo mongwe jaana malome… batho ba utlwa go nkga sebodu… Kgosi wa ko Medie o ja batho."

The judge said that the post attracted negative comments, including suggestions to burn the chief’s house.

Investigations were initiated following reports by Mr Moatlhodi Kgabo, a headman at Medie, who claimed that the comments from the post incited fear and suggested violence within his family.

Although the investigating officer has previously argued that Sethibe should be denied bail on the grounds that his post disturbed peace and incited violence, and that there was no evidence of ritual killings in the area, the court found that the accused person was not a flight risk, more so that following the report, he voluntarily surrendered himself to the police.

Judge Nlanda acknowledged that, although the complainant stated that he had moved to Gaborone with his family, he continue to report for duty in Medie without any security arrangements in place.

The offence that Sethibe is charged with, carries a potential prison sentence of between ten and twelve months. ENDS