Boko's bodyguard has a case to answer - court

The leader of Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC), Duma Boko’s bodyguard, Elliot Moshoke suffered a major setback yesterday in his threat to kill case against Spy Chief, Isaaac Kgosi. Extension II Magistrate Batho Kgeretlhwa dismissed Moshoke’s application stating that he has a case to answer. This comes after Moshoke applied for the charges to be dropped.

He has been charged with threat-to-kill after the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) boss laid a complaint. According to the charge sheet, Moshoke, on or about April 2014 in Extension II Gaborone, without lawful excuse, caused Kgosi to indirectly receive a threat on his life when he uttered the words: “I personally send a warning that should anything happen to Boko, there will be a bloodbath among the families of responsible people. I will personally ensure that not only do they suffer consequences, but even their entire families,” or words to that effect.

Moshoke’s vows came after allegations surfaced among the opposition that the DIS was plotting to kill Boko. Moshoke allegedly threatened to “wipe out the Serowe royal family from the world map.” Moshoke’s attorneys have argued that the case should be dismissed as it did not conform with sections of the Criminal Procedure and Evidence Act, which state that for one to be charged with threat-to-kill, there should be a named individual receiving a threat “and not a geographical place like Serowe.”

However, in a counter-argument, prosecutor Priscilla Israel of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) said the charge is clear and prayed the Court to listen to the matter. Delivering her ruling yesterday, Kgeretlhwa said the charge and particulars of the claim meet the requirement of the law hence Moshoke should be brought to take a plea in the offence. She could not ascertain whether the charges were meant to prejudice or embarrass Moshoke as that could only be determined later during the case. Meanwhile Moshoke’s lawyers said they intend to make another application to the court during the next appearance on July 3.