Prison housemates in bitter fist fight
The trial of Botswana Prisons Services (BPS) Officer Monkgogi Seabonyane, who is accused of assaulting his colleague Lebogang Lekoba commenced last week at Broadhurst Magistrate Court.
Court heard that Seabonyane beat the living daylights out of Lekoba sometime in August 2020 after Seabonyane asked him to close the door behind him and Lekoba refused. The two officers based at BPS Headquarters in Gaborone were housemates at the time of the fight.
On that day, Seabonyane who was in the company of his wife, is alleged to have instructed Lekoba to close the door on his way out. Lekoba who was holding his year old child then casually said Seabonyane should do so himself.
It is alleged that Seabonyane then attacked Lekoba, accusing him of being disrespectful. Caught off guard, Lekoba tried blocking fists and blows that landed on his body and head. Unable to take it any longer, he dropped his child on the floor while trying to flee to his room.
It is alleged that an infuriated Seabonyane attacked Lekoba for the second time minutes later in the presence of a neighbour who had come to reconcile the two.
Asked what is likely to happen with Seabonyane if found guilty given that he is a force officer, BPS Assistant Commissioner Wamorena Ramolefhe said they will not comment on a matter that is before court. Nonetheless, according to BPS Act, BPS appointing authority may at any time and in the interests of the service interdict from duty any prison officer who is charged with an offence under the Act (including an offence against discipline) or any other law. Meanwhile, according to an official at BPS who preferred to speak on condition of anonymity, Seabonyane has not been suspended.
“We wonder why he is still here, we feel sorry for Lekoba, they work together and bump into each other often. What if another fight ensues, this is a criminal case,” the officer said.