Suspected hit and run driver faces P30 000 fine
Letlhakane Police Station Commander, Michael Maphephu
LETLHAKANE: The suspect in a gruesome and fatal accident that astonished many and left three siblings dead and one hospitalised in a critical condition at Bokamoso Private Hospital, Mr Mooketsi Bathoeng appeared before Letlhakane Magistrate Queen Latoya Moanga on Wednesday facing three counts of causing death by dangerous driving and one count of failure to stop at the scene of an accident.
When the 26 year old Xhomo born resident of Letlhakane took to the stand, the murmuring of people in the court room which was filled to full capacity overpowered the thick emotion that hang in the air. The accident that had the village of Letlhakane talking since it occurred on the evening of Friday August 14 had generated a lot of interest among Boteti residents.
The prosecutor said that the suspect is charged with dangerous driving contrary to section 49(a) of the Road Traffic Act, and (b) with failing to stop after the accident and causing death through dangerous driving .The prosecution alleged that the accused drove his motor vehicle on the road in a manner dangerous to other persons, failed to stop after the accident and caused the death of three persons and serious injuries to one.
Bathoeng who is alleged to have been drunk and highly intoxicated on the day of the accident killed three children and injured two more, after veering off the road in Mokgobelele Ward in Letlhakane. According to witnesses, the six children who are all siblings and were walking from their grandmother’s house were hit off road.
“His car was overtaking at high speed, veered off road and approached a group of children who then scattered and run for cover only to be caught in mid-flight and were unfortunately brutally pressed hard against the fence of a nearby by homestead, two died on the spot, one on the way to the hospital, one has been discharged while one is in a very critical condition at Bokamoso Private Hospital.” Constable Serumola Aaron revealed.
He said he was constrained to prosecute this case as he is also a lead prosecutor in another case where the same suspect caused another death in Orapa in 2013 in what is suspected to have been another case of drunken driving. He says while they have now been given the go ahead to prosecute, by the DPP in Gaborone his initial case was delayed by several a factors and the complex nature of his investigations.
He said it is unfortunate to meet the same suspect in court for s similar matter as he had just been given permission from Gaborone to proceed with his case recently and was about to contact him. He said while he would not like to paint the suspect in a bad light, his investigations have revealed that he is a man known for his love of speed.
Taking the stand in open court, the suspect pleaded with the magistrate to grant him bail to consult his parents and seek for a legal advisor as well as meet with his employers. The magistrates reminded him of the seriousness of the offence, his pending case and denied him bail as the police had earlier indicated that the matter is still fresh and would require the services of accident re-constructionists and that he may interfere with investigations.
The police also pleaded with the court to remand him in custody for a while to allow the community to cool off and to protect him from possible vengeance by the victims family and community members. They also said that they were worried about the condition of the fourth child still hospitalised who is in a vegetative state, the prosecutor said that they may have to add another count should the child’s health deteriorate dismally.
In an interview with this publication, Letlhakane Police Station Commander, Michael Maphephu revealed that the suspect was apprehended through the help of community members after he sent his younger brother to take his car to a local panel beater in an attempt to conceal evidence of the accident.
He said community members who saw him at the accident scene where he is said to have stopped for a moment to look at the horrific scene before speeding off helped in identifying him. He said that the three dead students, two girls and their brother aged between seven and twelve years will be laid to rest this weekend, at their home village in Tswapong.
Speaking to the suspect in an interview outside court, he said that he did not mean to conceal the accident but thought that he had hit a dog or some other stray animal. He said he was very sorry that lives were lost as he is currently taking care of his eight months year old child.
He said he was a mechanic and also a student, seconded by his employer Eqstra Holdings which is currently carrying out open cast mining at Boteti Karowe mine. He said he was seconded to a mining institute in South Africa and stands to lose out on this academic development opportunity.
In an interview outside court Constable Serumola Aaron said that in Botswana, the possible sentence in the case of a person who causes the death of another person by dangerous driving is a fine not exceeding P30, 000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 3 years, or both.
He also said leaving the scene would also carry a sentence and that the judge might also consider suspending the accused driving license. A memorial service was held for the three students at their former School Letlhakane Primary School on Wednesday evening, various churches in the village have also planned prayer services in memory of the departed siblings and their family and a candle light service this Sunday. The suspects will appear again in court on September 15th.
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Nigerians, Zimbabweans apply for Chema Chema Fund
Fronting activities, where locals are used as a front for foreign-owned businesses, have been a long-standing issue in Botswana. These activities not only undermine the government’s efforts to promote local businesses but also deprive Batswana of opportunities for economic empowerment, officials say. The Ministry of Trade and Industry has warned of heavy penalties for those involved in fronting activities especially in relation to the latest popular government initiative dubbed Chema Chema.
According to the Ministry, the Industrial Development Act of 2019 clearly outlines the consequences of engaging in fronting activities. The fines of up to P50,000 for first-time offenders and P20,000 plus a two-year jail term for repeat offenders send a strong message that the government is serious about cracking down on this illegal practice. These penalties are meant to deter individuals from participating in fronting activities and to protect the integrity of local industries.
“It is disheartening to hear reports of collaboration between foreigners and locals to exploit government initiatives such as the Chema Chema Fund. This fund, administered by CEDA and LEA, is meant to support informal traders and low-income earners in Botswana. However, when fronting activities come into play, the intended beneficiaries are sidelined, and the funds are misused for personal gain.” It has been discovered that foreign nationals predominantly of Zimbabwean and Nigerian origin use unsuspecting Batswana to attempt to access the Chema Chema Fund. It is understood that they approach these Batswana under the guise of drafting business plans for them or simply coming up with ‘bankable business ideas that qualify for Chema Chema.’
Observers say the Chema Chema Fund has the potential to uplift the lives of many Batswana who are struggling to make ends meet. They argue that it is crucial that these funds are used for their intended purpose and not siphoned off through illegal activities such as fronting. The Ministry says the warning it issued serves as a reminder to all stakeholders involved in the administration of these funds to ensure transparency and accountability in their disbursement.
One local commentator said it is important to highlight the impact of fronting activities on the local economy and the livelihoods of Batswana. He said by using locals as a front for foreign-owned businesses, opportunities for local entrepreneurs are stifled, and the economic empowerment of Batswana is hindered. The Ministry’s warning of heavy penalties is a call to action for all stakeholders to work together to eliminate fronting activities and promote a level playing field for local businesses.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Trade and Industry’s warning of heavy penalties for fronting activities is a necessary step to protect the integrity of local industries and promote economic empowerment for Batswana. “It is imperative that all stakeholders comply with regulations and work towards a transparent and accountable business environment. By upholding the law and cracking down on illegal activities, we can ensure a fair and prosperous future for all Batswana.”
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Merck Foundation and African First Ladies mark World Health Day 2024
Merck Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany marks “World Health Day” 2024 together with Africa’s First Ladies who are also Ambassadors of MerckFoundation “More Than a Mother” Campaign through their Scholarship and Capacity Building Program. Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation emphasized, “At Merck Foundation, we mark World Health Day every single day of the year over the past 12 years, by building healthcare capacity and transforming patient care across Africa, Asia and beyond.
I am proud to share that Merck Foundation has provided over 1740 scholarships to aspiring young doctors from 52 countries, in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties such as Oncology, Diabetes, Preventative Cardiovascular Medicine, Endocrinology, Sexual and Reproductive Medicine, Acute Medicine, Respiratory Medicine, Embryology & Fertility specialty, Gastroenterology, Dermatology, Psychiatry, Emergency and Resuscitation Medicine, Critical Care, Pediatric Emergency Medicine, Neonatal Medicine, Advanced Surgical Practice, Pain Management, General Surgery, Clinical Microbiology and infectious diseases, Internal Medicine, Trauma & Orthopedics, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Cardiology, Stroke Medicine, Care of the Older Person, Family Medicine, Pediatrics and Child Health, Obesity & Weight Management, Women’s Health, Biotechnology in ART and many more”.
As per the available data, Africa has only 34.6% of the required doctors, nurses, and midwives. It is projected that by 2030, Africa would need additional 6.1 million doctors, nurses, and midwives*. “For Example, before the start of the Merck Foundation programs in 2012; there was not a single Oncologist, Fertility or Reproductive care specialists, Diabetologist, Respiratory or ICU specialist in many countries such as The Gambia, Liberia, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Guinea, Burundi, Niger, Chad, Ethiopia, Namibia among others. We are certainly creating historic legacy in Africa, and also beyond. Together with our partners like Africa’s First Ladies, Ministries of Health, Gender, Education and Communication, we are impacting the lives of people in the most disadvantaged communities in Africa and beyond.”, added Senator Dr. Kelej. Merck Foundation works closely with their Ambassadors, the African First Ladies and local partners such as; Ministries of Health, Education, Information & Communication, Gender, Academia, Research Institutions, Media and Art in building healthcare capacity and addressing health, social & economic challenges in developing countries and under-served communities. “I strongly believe that training healthcare providers and building professional healthcare capacity is the right strategy to improve access to equitable and quality at health care in Africa.
Therefore, I am happy to announce the Call for Applications for 2024 Scholarships for young doctors with special focus on female doctors for our online one-year diploma and two year master degree in 44 critical and underserved medical specialties, which includes both Online Diploma programs and On-Site Fellowship and clinical training programs. The applications are invited through the Office of our Ambassadors and long-term partners, The First Ladies of Africa and Ministry of Health of each country.” shared Dr . Kelej. “Our aim is to improve the overall health and wellbeing of people by building healthcare capacity across Africa, Asia and other developing countries. We are strongly committed to transforming patientcare landscape through our scholarships program”, concluded Senator Kelej.
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Interpol fugitive escapes from Botswana
John Isaak Ndovi, a Tanzanian national embroiled in controversy and pursued under a red notice by the International Criminal Police Organization (Interpol), has mysteriously vanished, bypassing a scheduled bail hearing at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court in Gaborone. Previously apprehended by Botswana law enforcement at the Tlokweng border post several months earlier, his escape has ignited serious concerns.
Accused of pilfering assets worth in excess of P1 million, an amount translating to roughly 30,000 Omani Riyals, Ndovi has become a figure of paramount interest, especially to the authorities in the Sultanate of Oman, nestled in the far reaches of Asia.
The unsettling news of his disappearance surfaced following his failure to present himself at the Extension 2 Magistrate Court the preceding week. Speculation abounds that Ndovi may have sought refuge in South Africa in a bid to elude capture, prompting a widespread mobilization of law enforcement agencies to ascertain his current location.
In an official communiqué, Detective Senior Assistant Police Commissioner Selebatso Mokgosi of Interpol Gaborone disclosed Ndovi’s apprehension last September at the Tlokweng border, a capture made possible through the vigilant issuance of the Interpol red notice.
At 36, Ndovi is implicated in a case of alleged home invasion in Oman. Despite the non-existence of an extradition treaty between Botswana and Oman, Nomsa Moatswi, the Director of the Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), emphasized that the lack of formal extradition agreements does not hinder her office’s ability to entertain extradition requests. She highlighted the adoption of international cooperation norms, advocating for collaboration through the lenses of international comity and reciprocity.
Moatswi disclosed the intensified effort by law enforcement to locate Ndovi following his no-show in court, and pointed to Botswana’s track record of extraditing two international fugitives from France and Zimbabwe in the previous year as evidence of the country’s relentless pursuit of legal integrity.
When probed about the potential implications of Ndovi’s case on Botswana’s forthcoming evaluation by the Financial Action Task Force (FATF), Moatswi reserved her speculations. She acknowledged the criticality of steering clear of blacklisting, suggesting that this singular case is unlikely to feature prominently in the FATF’s assessment criteria.