DRUNK DRIVER JAILED

Intoxicated man runs over nine people, lands them in hospital

Botumile Kgodumo (54) was arraigned before court this past Tuesday in Gantsi for allegedly running over nine people with a car while drunk. According to Officer Commanding No. 6 District Senior Superintendent, Thari Senwelo, the incident occurred after the accused drank alcohol at a popular bar in Gantsi then got inside his car with intention of driving off. It is not clear what then happened but suspicion is that he pressed hard on the accelerator and the vehicle drove off at high speed. “His actions resulted in the injury of nine people - six managed to escape with minor injuries, while three got admitted at the hospital with serious injuries. Of the three, two have been referred to Princess Marina Hospital in Gaborone for further medical attention,” he said.

The accused, who is a public servant at Roads Department in Gantsi, has been slapped with two charges of dangerous driving and driving while under the influence of alcohol or drugs.

In court, Kgodumo did not beat about the bush, he pleaded guilty to all the charges placed before him. Inspector Jack Othusitse pleaded with the court to remand the accused in custody citing that the matter was a fresh and sensitive one. He said that one of the injured victims was still in critical condition. Court granted him his wish. This means that Kgodumo will be back in court for mention on the 16 April 2024. For now, Kgodumo can only pray that the injured get better because if their health deteriorates, and the worst occurs, his charges will change to murder, further complicating his case. Senwelo said apart from the bar incident, Batswana were mostly on the good side of the law during the Easter holidays in his policing area.