Bame Piet
1 April 2008
British national Phillip James Tempest will spend the next 14 days in prison after the Extension Two Magistrate Court ruled that he should be kept in custody pending police investigations.
Tempest, an aircraft instructor, allegedly had carnal knowledge of two girls on unknown dates between February and March this year. He was not asked to plead. The police made an application for his remand, saying defilement was a serious offence and he could be tempted to flee the country. They also said that Tempest was likely to interfere with state witnesses, especially the complainants.
However, Tempest told the court that he owned property at Sir Seretse Khama International Airport, had been staying in Botswana for over 20 years and was not going to abscond. He said that he was ready to surrender his travel documents and that he would report to the police station at times the court may prescribe. He said that he needed time to consult his lawyers.
But presiding magistrate Faith Dlamini-Ngandu rejected the bail application on the grounds that the matter involved two underage girls who might be easily intimidated or manipulated. She said that the issue of bail would be discussed in the next court proceedings. The police are expected to bring a doctor's medical report and affidavits confirming the ages of the two girls. Tempest resides in Tlokweng.
Meanwhile, Magistrate Nokuthula Moyo has once again postponed the case involving the daughter of outgoing President Festus Mogae to Friday when she will make a ruling whether Chedza has a drunken driving charge to answer.
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