THE arraignment of two Botswana Congress Party Youth League (BCP-YL) executive committee members in court hit a snag yesterday after their lawyer, Dick Bayford objected to the charges., writes Isaiah Morewagae in Mmegi.ÂÂÂ
BCP-YL president Lotty Manyapedza and secretary general Thato Osupile were dragged to court after allegations that they stormed Btv to protest unfair coverage by the state-owned TV. However, Bayford made an application before Broadhurst Magistrate Nokothula Moyo that the indictment as presented in the charge sheet needs to be amended and with further particularities provided.
He was more concerned with charges that his clients uttered insults, which is not provided in the particularities. He said that abusive words uttered in a vacuum and in general and not directed at anyone do not constitute an insult. He added that his clients are entitled to know the nature and the person whom the insults were aimed at.
He told the court that his clients are not in a position to apprehend the nature of the charges.
The prosecutor Superintendent Bonnie Bareki of Gaborone West police opposed Bayford's application stating that what the lawyer and his clients want has been made clear in the statements of the offence.
Click here to read the full report, posted on Mmegi's website.
