DRTS Deputy Director escapes jail by a whisker

Sharon Mathala
RELIEVED: Tlhogo

Department of Road Transport and Safety, Acting Director, Godwin Tlhogo can finally breathe a sigh of relief after escaping jail for contempt of court by a whisker.

Tlhogo and another employee, Diana Moremi appeared at the Gaborone High Court this past Wednesday for sentencing.

The pair appeared before Judge Abednego Tafa who issued them light sentence to be, “detained until this court rises,” and a stern warning.

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When delivering his sentence Judge Tafa said, “Let me make this very clear. Court of law makes orders and orders of the courts are to be obeyed. Otherwise, there would be chaos if everyone felt they are above the law.”

The departments of transport senior employees were found guilty of contempt of court after they had willfully disobeyed an order to issue a public transporter a licence to ply the Francistown- Serowe route.

Facts of the case are that sometime in March 2020 the Department of Road Transport and Safety took a decision not to entertain any ownership of vehicles held under hire purchase agreement by transport operators.

The decision was however successfully challenged in court by Mokoka Transport and plant hire (Pty) Ltd, Tshiamo Letshwti, DS Mabaleng coach tours (pty) Ltd, GTTH Services (Pty) Ltd, and Tiphe Transport Holdings (pty) Ltd.

OFF THE HOOK: Diana Moremi

The two officials from Road Transport and Safety were found in contempt after they had defied the court and went ahead to deny Mokoka bus operators’s application despite a court ruling that had set aside their decision to reject applications for vehicles held under hire purchase agreement by transport operators.

Mokoka had applied for a substitution of one of their vehicles-a Volvo Bus B 588 BGL using another vehicle being an Iveco Bus B 204 BIO.

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The application for the bus, which was acquired under the hire purchase agreement from Mokhanda Travel and Tours (Pty) Ltd was rejected although it had been inspected and certified fit for use.

Further stressing his point when delivering the sentence Tafa said, “You were going to spend at least 14 days in jail. There was an order, which was very clear, it was order made by consent through your representatives. We want Government business to continue so you will be detained until this court rises.”

“Because you have perjured your contempt you will stay here until court rises.” Tafa said much to the delight of the convicts who could be seen smiling from ear to ear.

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