[Deathpenalty] death penalty news----worldwide

[Rick Halperin]

March 31



BOTSWANA:

The Death Penalty - Executions From 1998-2008 (Mogae Legacy)


MURDER - contrary to Section 202 of the Penal Code (Cap. 08:01), the
allegation being that on 23rd May 1993 at Botepetepe Lands (near Serowe)
in Botswana, he murdered KEBOTSETSWE GOEPAMANG.

* ARMED ROBBERY - contrary to Section 292 (1) as reads with Section 292
(2) of the penal Code (Cap 08:01), it being alleged by the prosecution
that on 21st May 1993 at Palapye in the Central Administrative District of
Botswana, the Appellant acting jointly with others before the Court, and
armed with a dangerous or offensive weapon, robbed KAGISO BENE MMOLAWA of
a Toyota Double cab BD 8907 D, and at, or immediately before or after such
robbery did use personal violence to the said KAGISO BENE MMOLAWA;

* ARMED ROBBERY - contrary to Section 292 (1) as reads with Section 292
(2) of the penal Code (Cap 08:01), the allegation being that on the 23rd
May 1993 at Botepetepe Lands in the Central Administrative District of
Botswanan whilst armed with a dangerous or offensive weapon, the Appellant
robbed RALPH MONCHUSI of a Mazda 4x4 BX 90 6656, and at, or immediately
before or after such robbery used personal violence to the said RALPH
MONCHUSI;

UNLAWFUL POSSESSION OF A FIREARM - Contrary to Section 9(1) as read with
Section 9(4) of the Arms and Ammunition Act (Cap 24:01) it being the
Prosecution allegation that the appellant unlawfully possessed a 9 mm
Makarov pistol Serial Number YM 8037.

DOUGLAS SIMON - Executed on 19 September 2003.

MURDER: Simon allegedly poisoned George Chabe in January 2000, with a
green chemical poisonous substance known as "malachite green". This
substance is said to be toxic to human beings and fatal if ingested. Simon
was charged together with Maokaneng Mokolong (traditional doctor) who is
said to have provided Simon with the poison. Chabe, the deceased, was a
previous employee of Simon, whom he (Simon) accused of stealing P24,000
from him.

The Court of Appeal acquitted Mokolong.

MARIETTA BOSCH - Executed on 31 March 2001

MURDER: Bosch was found guilty of the murder of Maria Wolmarans at a house
in Phakalane Estate in Gaborone on June 26, 1996.

Bosch had pleaded not guilty to the charge.

During her trial it was revealed that she used a pistol she had brought
illegally from South Africa into Botswana. Bosch claimed that she handed
the pistol to Coetzee on arrival in Botswana as he had expressed the wish
to buy it from her. According to her, Coetzee returned the pistol
following Wolmarans's death, saying he had done what he wanted to do with
it.

Prosecution witnesses testified that Bosch had an affair with the
deceased's husband, dating back to 1993. The court heard that the two
planned to get married as soon as the deceased was out of the way. Bosch's
husband, Justin, died in a "road accident" in South Africa in 1995.

Passing judgement, Judge Aboagye found that indeed the accused was having
an adulterous relationship with Wolmarans and moved by infatuation, she
planned to eliminate the deceased. BOPA

OTENG MODISANE PING - Executed 07 April 2006

MURDER: He was found guilty by Lobatse High court for the murder of his
girlfriend of six years, Iponeng Thusang, after it found extenuating
circumstances. However, the court sentenced him to death for the murder of
Iponeng's six-year-old son, Tshiamo Thusang. Ping pleaded not guilty to
the murders at Ncojane in the Ghanzi District on December 24, 2001.

The bodies of the two were found in Iponeng's yard on the day with their
throats cut. BOPA

SEPENI THUBISANE POPO - Executed 08 November 2007

MURDER: Popo was found guilty the for the October 2004 ritual murder
Boitshwarelo Tinki Balotlegi, a Molepolole woman who was found dead with
her private parts missing.

He was facing the charge with Kautu Eanang and the former confessed to the
killing. Eanang was acquitted because there wasn't enough evidence linking
him to the offence. However, some flesh of the deceased was found at his
house and he said it was from a sheep.

The court found that Popo killed Balotlegi because he was promised a lot
of money

Others who were executed are Gouwane Tsae and Joseph Makhobo on 19
September 2003.

>From 1966 - 1979, during Sir Seretse Khama's era, 17 people were executed.

>From 1981 - 1998, during Sir Ketumile Masire's era, 15 people were
executed.

On April 1st 2008 the incoming President Lieutenant General Ian Khama will
find 4 death row inmates.

(source: All Africa News)