29 Jan 2020

Former Ghanzi North MP Noah Salakae’s election results petition trial commences tomorrow before the Gaborone High Court.

Prior to ascertaining trial dates of January 30-31 on Tuesday, Mr Salakae’s attorney, Mr Dick Bayford had told the court that certain pre-trial requirements were still outstanding.

Mr Bayford said both petitioner and respondents had not been able to adhere to the court order to file the case material by January 24 due to the pending inspection of election material, deemed crucial evidence for the trial.

Mr Bayford said the inspection took longer than anticipated but was optimistic it would be completed by yesterday.

“As we speak, the inspection of the election material is still ongoing,” he said.

Mr Salakae was a Ghanzi North parliamentary candidate for the Umbrella for Democratic Change (UDC) in the 2019 general election and is petitioning the outcome.

The trial is before a panel of three judges; namely Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe, Omphemetse Motumise and Itumeleng Segopolo.  Judge Ketlogetswe has appealed to the petitioner’s attorneys to stamp their authority and ensure that all pending pre-trial details were completed before commencement of trial.

The final case management conference has also been scheduled for today prior to commencement of the trial.

Justice Ketlogetswe had also ordered the parties to file trial material bundles and serve each other with all relevant material by yesterday.

Meanwhile, the court has  confirmed February 6, 7 and 8, as trial dates for other cases involving Mr James Matlhogojane (Selemela ward), Mr Olefile Motswasele (Naledi Central) and Olebogeng Kemelo (Bontleng), all of Gaborone South constituency.

Election material relating to the three petitions is to be inspected  February 2-3 and evidence filed by February 4. ENDS