botswana: Chief assaults reporters, breaks camera

IFEX - News from the international freedom of expression community
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ALERT - BOTSWANA

16 September 2003

Chief assaults reporters, breaks camera

SOURCE: Media Institute of Southern Africa (MISA), Windhoek

(MISA/IFEX) - On 6 September 2003, the paramount chief of the Batawana tribe,
Tawana Moremi, physically attacked Booster Galesekegwe, a photojournalist from
the weekly "Mmegi" newspaper, and broke his camera. Moremi also attacked Kagiso
Sekokonyane, acting editor of "Mmegi Monitor", "Mmegi"'s sister newspaper.

Galesekegwe was covering a story about South African DJ Phat Joe at a restaurant
in the capital, Gaborone. Moremi was among those at the entertainment function,
where Galesekegwe was taking photographs.

Galesekegwe told MISA-Botswana that when he tried to take pictures of the
revellers, Moremi walked towards him, seized his camera, threw it on the ground
and stamped on it.

Galesekegwe added that while Moremi trampled on the camera, he shouted, "You
nig***s are f****ing me up. Now it is payback time." The digital camera is worth
approximately Pula 21,000 (approx. US$4,361).

Galesekegwe reported the incident to Sekokonyane. Upon arrival, Sekokonyane also
came under attack and was insulted and struck by Moremi. He did not retaliate.

After arriving at the scene, police managed to subdue Moremi. Moremi,
Galesekegwe and Sekokonyane were taken to the police station to make statements,
where Moremi again pounced on Galesekegwe and hit him.

When contacted for comment, Old Naledi Police Station Commander Sehubakgosi
Tsekele confirmed the incident and said a file had been opened. Tsekele said the
chief had not been brought in to answer the charges against him since the police
did not know his whereabouts. Efforts to contact Moremi on his mobile also
proved futile.

BACKGROUND:
"Mmegi", a privately-owned weekly newspaper with a circulation of about 28,000,
has been in existence for about 17 years. In October, it will become the first
private newspaper in Botswana to publish daily.

The Batawana tribe is one of the eight main Tswana tribes in Botswana.

For further information, contact Zoe Titus or Kaitira Kandjii, Regional
Information Coordinator, MISA, Street Address: 21 Johann Albrecht Street,
Mailing Address; Private Bag 13386 Windhoek, Namibia, tel: +264 61 232 975, fax:
+264 61 248 016, e-mail: [email protected] or [email protected], Internet:
http://www.misa.org/

The information contained in this alert is the sole responsibility of MISA. In
citing this material for broadcast or publication, please credit MISA.
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