A case of harassment and common nuisance in Mabesekwa village turned nasty when two brothers Kagiso Kebaboletse and Keletso Kebaboletse allegedly went rogue and hailed stones on the police, leaving one officer nursing deep head wounds.
Appearing before Francistown Magistrate Court on Monday, the rogue brothers aged 30 and 28 respectively, pleaded guilty to assaulting Constable Osenotse BoyBoy last Friday.
The accused persons were also slapped with two other charges of resisting arrest and malicious damage of a windscreen of a Toyota Hilux van belonging to Nowa Masale, during stone hailing brawl. The value of the windscreen is estimated to be P3 000.
“Your Worship my brother and I plead with the court to forgive us for all the wrong we have done. The two days we have spent in the cells we had time to reflect and realize our wrong. We plead guilty to all the charges,” confessed Kagiso Kebaboletse.
According to the charge sheet the unemployed Kebaboletse siblings are said to have jointly, deliberately attacked the police officer to avoid arrest. Not only did they attack the cop once but several times and aiming for his head. Prosecutor Paphidzo Kuda urged Principal Magistrate Tshepho Magetse to remand the accused persons as investigations into the case were not yet complete.
“We pray the court gives the police time to wind up investigations and compile all necessary documents and statements. Also, to remand the accused persons so that they do not interfere with the witnesses and to safeguard the well-being of the officer who was assaulted. The police officer and the accused persons stay in the same village,” said Sub Inspector Kuda.
He stated that the officer in question was taken for medical attention, treated and discharged the same day. He is said to be currently on sick leave and recuperating from home.
The accused persons were remanded and return to Court in two weeks.
Meanwhile, the Botswana Police Services (BPS) spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner Near Bagali has revealed that in July this year three police officers in Mahalapye, Molepolole, and Mmathethe were reported to have been attacked and sustained injuries in the line of duty.
In March this year, during the commemoration of the INTERPOL- International Day of Remembrance of Fallen Police Officers Commissioner of BPS, Diana Marathe condemned senseless attacks on police officers whilst on duty.
Marathe said BPS would continue to train and equip its officers to adequately and professionally protect themselves against violent criminals.
“I equally challenge Batswana at large to denounce any violent acts targeted at the police and continue volunteering criminal information including security threats, so that offenders are apprehended and prosecuted,” she said.
