Bame Piet
7 April 2008
The Extension Two Magistrate Nokuthula Moyo has ruled that Chedza Mogae, daughter of former president Festus Mogae, has a case to answer on two charges of drunken driving and refusing to supply breath samples to the police.
The magistrate ruled on Friday that she was satisfied with evidence by four state witnesses that the state has established a prima-facie case against Chedza. She said that although there are minor contradictions between the police witnesses, it is clear that the manner in which Chedza drove her vehicle when the police tried to stop her was dangerous.
She added that some of the police witnesses claim they did not smell alcohol on her breath, but the other two confirmed she was staggering when led to the police testing room. At some point, one of the police officers supported her to her feet, she said.
On the second count of refusal to submit a breath sample, Moyo said there was evidence that the accused declined to cooperate with the police. She set trial for May 26 when Chedza will take the witness box to defend herself.
The police say Chedza was found sleeping in her Isuzu Double cabat the Nelson Mandela/Independence Avenue Junction on the night of June 17, 2006. When she saw the police she tried to drive away but in a zigzag manner.
The police told the court that she refused to cooperate with them, warning that she was going to phone then Vice President Ian Khama to intervene. She also threatened that Khama would dismiss the police officers when he assumes the presidency. They told the court that Chedza's mother came to the Central Police Station where she assisted them in dealing with her.
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