HUNTING THE PRESIDENT
A young man who dramatically sprinted towards President Duma Boko, holding tight to a brown envelope on Inauguration Day, remains determined to meet the president.
In an interview with this publication, Lungani Diane (29) identified himself as a labourer at Gantsi Primary Hospital, residing in Morama ward.
On November 8, 2024, Diane went to the national stadium with the sole intent of personally handing over complaint letters to the president.
He claims his employers have ignored his grievances regarding an injury he sustained at work.
“On inauguration day, I approached police officers stationed at the gate which was used by high-ranking officials, requesting to meet the president after the event. They refused and threatened to arrest
me, calling me ‘psycho.’
“I then moved to the southern stand, jumped over the wall, and ran towards the president after hearing his promising speech,” Diane recounted.
Following his arrest, he was taken to Central Police Station for questioning.
“I met Superintendent Sharpson Mbuso, the Station Commander. He took my statement and charged me with common nuisance.
“Later, I requested transport to Extension 2 Clinic for painkillers. At the clinic, I overheard a nurse being told, ‘We have our client here, the one who was running at the stadium—he is mentally unstable, help him get better."
Diane insists he is mentally sound. “They believe I’m unwell, but I know exactly what I was doing that day,” he said.
A few days later, on November 13, 2024, Diane was contacted by a man who identified himself as Divisional Commander Nthoiwa.
He then arranged a meeting with the Director General of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) Peter Magosi who was allegedly sent by President Boko.
During the meeting, Diane aired his complaints and they advised him that he needs to make an appointment if he wants to meet the president.
He also told them that he got assurance from the Director of Health Services that his matter would urgently be addressed.
- The Workplace Injury
Diane alleges that in July 2024, while performing maintenance work on a hospital roof, he slipped and fell, sustaining multiple injuries.
He blames the hospital for neglecting workplace safety, stating they should have provided him with protective clothing.
“I had an open head wound, severe hip and lower back pain, and swollen arms and ankles,” he said.
However, hospital officials reportedly dismissed his claims, suggesting that his fall resulted from him being under the influence of marijuana. “The allegations are false and defamatory,” Diane retorted.
Documents seen by this publication indicate that Gantsi District Health Management Team (DHMT) investigated the matter.
According to DHMT, Diane’s supervisor, Kabelo Molebi, denied defaming him, stating that he had only warned him multiple times, against marijuana use.
Molebi also reportedly spoke to Diane’s colleagues to intervene, which Diane interpreted as an effort to tarnish his reputation.
Diane remains frustrated. “My complaints were ignored, I received poor medical treatment after my accident, and my supervisor falsely accused me of drug use. I felt helpless and stressed, meeting the president was my only hope.”
Diane is currently undergoing mental health assessment with a psychiatric nurse. He is also receiving emotional management therapy at Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital in Maun. Despite these challenges, Diane is still fighting to have his case heard.
Reached for comment, Diane's father, Vusi Galela Nota said as far as he knows, his son is of sound mind, he is not suffering from any mental related illnesses.
He recalled that on the day his son got injured, he phoned detailing what had happened. His son further complained that he was not getting satisfactory treatment from doctors.
"He travelled from Gantsi to Gaborone just to meet the president during inauguration, he shared his plans with me, at first I wanted to stop him but he insisted.
“He told me he was in severe pain, that he needed to act before dying. I raised that boy well, he is the most intelligent of all my children.
“I refuse to believe he is mentally unstable. He has never acted out of character to suggest such. He is in full control of his faculties and actions," Diane's father said.
In an interview with this publication, Lungani Diane (29) identified himself as a labourer at Gantsi Primary Hospital, residing in Morama ward.
On November 8, 2024, Diane went to the national stadium with the sole intent of personally handing over complaint letters to the president.
He claims his employers have ignored his grievances regarding an injury he sustained at work.
“On inauguration day, I approached police officers stationed at the gate which was used by high-ranking officials, requesting to meet the president after the event. They refused and threatened to arrest
me, calling me ‘psycho.’
“I then moved to the southern stand, jumped over the wall, and ran towards the president after hearing his promising speech,” Diane recounted.
Following his arrest, he was taken to Central Police Station for questioning.
“I met Superintendent Sharpson Mbuso, the Station Commander. He took my statement and charged me with common nuisance.
“Later, I requested transport to Extension 2 Clinic for painkillers. At the clinic, I overheard a nurse being told, ‘We have our client here, the one who was running at the stadium—he is mentally unstable, help him get better."
Diane insists he is mentally sound. “They believe I’m unwell, but I know exactly what I was doing that day,” he said.
A few days later, on November 13, 2024, Diane was contacted by a man who identified himself as Divisional Commander Nthoiwa.
He then arranged a meeting with the Director General of the Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) Peter Magosi who was allegedly sent by President Boko.
During the meeting, Diane aired his complaints and they advised him that he needs to make an appointment if he wants to meet the president.
He also told them that he got assurance from the Director of Health Services that his matter would urgently be addressed.
- The Workplace Injury
Diane alleges that in July 2024, while performing maintenance work on a hospital roof, he slipped and fell, sustaining multiple injuries.
He blames the hospital for neglecting workplace safety, stating they should have provided him with protective clothing.
“I had an open head wound, severe hip and lower back pain, and swollen arms and ankles,” he said.
However, hospital officials reportedly dismissed his claims, suggesting that his fall resulted from him being under the influence of marijuana. “The allegations are false and defamatory,” Diane retorted.
Documents seen by this publication indicate that Gantsi District Health Management Team (DHMT) investigated the matter.
According to DHMT, Diane’s supervisor, Kabelo Molebi, denied defaming him, stating that he had only warned him multiple times, against marijuana use.
Molebi also reportedly spoke to Diane’s colleagues to intervene, which Diane interpreted as an effort to tarnish his reputation.
Diane remains frustrated. “My complaints were ignored, I received poor medical treatment after my accident, and my supervisor falsely accused me of drug use. I felt helpless and stressed, meeting the president was my only hope.”
Diane is currently undergoing mental health assessment with a psychiatric nurse. He is also receiving emotional management therapy at Letsholathebe Memorial Hospital in Maun. Despite these challenges, Diane is still fighting to have his case heard.
Reached for comment, Diane's father, Vusi Galela Nota said as far as he knows, his son is of sound mind, he is not suffering from any mental related illnesses.
He recalled that on the day his son got injured, he phoned detailing what had happened. His son further complained that he was not getting satisfactory treatment from doctors.
"He travelled from Gantsi to Gaborone just to meet the president during inauguration, he shared his plans with me, at first I wanted to stop him but he insisted.
“He told me he was in severe pain, that he needed to act before dying. I raised that boy well, he is the most intelligent of all my children.
“I refuse to believe he is mentally unstable. He has never acted out of character to suggest such. He is in full control of his faculties and actions," Diane's father said.
