08 Sep 2026

Puumue Ndjarakana, who is facing a single count of grievous harm has offered a horse and two heifers as compensation to the complainant, Mr Moffat Gaboaloge as trial continued before the Maun Chief Magistrate Court. Ndjarakana is accused of unlawfully assaulting Mr Gaboaloge on or about October 7, 2023 near Mogotho liquor restaurant in Toteng, leaving him with a fractured left forearm with bone displacement.

However, Mr Gaboaloge rejected the horse, saying he had children to look after and that the animal would not be of much benefit to him.

Chief Magistrate Reuben Sebetela advised Ndjarakana to liaise with the prosecution on the issue of compensation so that they could establish whether the charge or nature of offense permitted such an arrangement.

The Chief Magistrate further stated that compensation was something the accused should have raised with the investigating officer before the matter reached trial stage.

Meanwhile, Prosecution witness Ms Kobamo Mogotsi gave an account of how she came to learn of the alleged assault, telling the court that she was informed by another person that a man was lying behind the bar seeming to have been assaulted.

“I went behind the bar where I found Mr Gaboaloge lying on the ground with a swollen face and he told me that Ndjarakana assaulted him and broke his hand,” she said. She further said Mr Gaboaloge was rushed to Sehithwa clinic where he was referred to Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital in Maun. 

The Investigating Officer, who continued giving evidence told the court that Mr Gaboaloge reported the matter to Sehithwa police post where he was the Officer in Charge and thereafter, he went after the accused person and arrested him.

He further told the court that he put it to Mr Ndjarakana that his conduct constituted an offense of causing bodily harm.

The case is set for continuation on September 22 when the state is expected to call its final witness, a medical doctor who is expected to give evidence on the matter. 

Ndjarakana bail has been extended until the next court date. ENDS