'Magician' Gets 10-Year Jail-Term
by Ndingililo Gaoswediwe
FRANCISTOWN: A man who claimed that he was performing magic has been jailed for 10 and a half years after being found guilty of arson, malicious damage to property and unlawful wounding. For arson, Chief Magistrate Lorraine Makati-Lesang jailed 31-year-old Koketso Keeme to a five-year prison term, with 18 months suspended.
For malicious damage to property, he will serve two years with six months suspended. Keeme will be in for three and a half years with six months suspended for the crime of unlawful wounding.
The magistrate said the sentences for arson and malicious damage will run concurrently but that of unlawful wounding will be served separately. She said Keeme was crazy to burn the complainant's house and the fire spread to two other houses.
The court heard that the convict proceeded to the complainant sister's house where he used an axe to damage the door. He then stabbed the complainant with a knife. The complainant was hospitalised for nine days after the stabbing and was off-duty for three weeks.
The magistrate said that the use of sharp instruments that included an axe and a knife made the offence serious. Makati-Lesang told the convict that he was disrespectful to the people who are supposed to be his in-laws.
When passing sentence the magistrate said she bore in mind that the accused pleaded guilty and was a first offender. She said he can still be productive in society.
