- Suspect, mother goes on to attack a journalist
The Francistown magistrate court has revoked bail for a threat to kill suspect David Holland, who is alleged to have been on the run for the past eight months and absconded court appearances. Holland was being hauled before Francistown Magistrate Court for failure to appear in court on Wednesday, where he and his mother caused a scene attacking a Daily News reporter who was on line of duty.
In court, Holland, a 37-year-old British citizen told Principal Magistrate Kabelo Magetse that he has never evaded court.
“Not once was I ever told when to appear in court. Neither was l served with any legal documents that I was wanted in court. I have met the prosecutor severally on the streets of Francistown, and he has never mentioned anything about me being wanted,” explained Holland who is facing six criminal charges.
“I was never on the run. I have been around all along.”
However, despite his efforts to convince, Magetse otherwise, Holland’s bail was revoked pending the outcome of the matter.
Holland is alleged to have, in April 2023 in the plush suburb of Molapo Estates, took hostage his wife threatening to kill her and their two children, assaulted her with a stick leading to bruises on her arm and knees. On a different occasion, he is alleged to have slapped her across the face.
He is also charged with firing gun shots at his parents with an intention to cause injury. The Briton is also said to have intimidated one Monalisa Mangure a member of the civil society. The final charge is that of being found in possession of a green powder substance, suspected to be an illicit drug.
Meanwhile, when arriving in court on Wednesday morning Holland pounced on the Daily News journalist who was trying to take a photograph.
In hot pursuit, Holland’s mother gave chase, hurling insults to the journalist taking a picture of her son who was cuffed in leg irons. The reporter had to flee for his life as the incensed duo, wanted not only to beat him but also to grab and smash his smartphone.
“The suspect’s mother is after me. I cannot even attend the court session. I escaped their wrath by a whisker. I had to dash into the empty court room and run into the parking lot as the suspect and his mother were after me,” he explained while standing outside the court building.
Each time the journalist tried to enter the court room, Holland’s mother confronted him, demanding she be given the phone. Disturbed and restless, the journalist finally sought refuge in one the offices upstairs at the Magistrate s Court.
