OLD MAN BEHAVING BADLY
BDP councillor bar brawl ends with assault charges
A night out at Digalaseng bar in Mahalapye ended badly for Thapelo Nyoka, who was allegedly hit with a bottle of alcohol on the head by an unruly Botswana Democratic Party Dilaene ward Councillor, Ponatshego Madala Ponatshego.
The scuffle, which turned violent, began with an argument on who of the two men was older than the other.
Speaking in an interview last week, Nyoka said that as they were chatting and an issue of age came into their discussion, he told Ponatshego that he was older than him but the councillor insisted he was the older one and even ordered Nyoka to show his identity card to prove his age.
Nyoka said that at that point he simply walked away to defuse the conflict and assumed the argument was over.
However, he was shocked that a few minutes before the bar closed at 12 midnight, Ponatshego splashed him with alcohol.
“I was really shocked and, because I did not want to fight, I walked away. He came after me and hit me with a bottle of Heineken, which he was drinking. It was bad. I was bleeding and one of the councillors who was also at the bar rushed me to Mahalapye Hospital where I was treated and released. Then I went to open an assault case. I want to teach this young man a lesson, I will not rest until justice is served. And, yes, I am older than him. He was born in 1973 and I was born in 1972,” said Nyoka.
When reached for comment, Ponatshego did not want to be drawn into discussing the case. He said this publication can write what they have heard from the victim.
Mahalapye Station Commander, Omphile Malemenyane, confirmed the incident. “Investigations are ongoing and, as soon as we have collected all the evidence, the matter will be registered before court.” said Malemenyane.