SUSPENSION OF EXECUTION OF MAAUWE AND MOTSWETLA TO BE CHALLENGED BY STATE ON 22 JANUARY 1999

The Attorney General of Botswana yesterday filed documents which opposed the order of Judge Reynolds of last Friday night, 15 January 1999. The order, issued in accordance with an urgent application brought by DITSHWANELO, temporarily suspended the execution of Tlhabologang Maauwe and Gwara Brown Motswetla. The two men were to have been hanged on Saturday 16 January 1999.

The State was given until February 22 1999, to show cause why the two men should be executed.

Instead, the Attorney General would like to bring forward the date of hearing in the High Court in Lobatse to Friday 22 January 1999.

Since obtaining the temporary suspension of the execution on the night of Friday 15 January 1999, the attorney acting for DITSHWANELO, Mr Kgafela Kgafela, has been unable to consult Maauwe and Motswetla. Access to the prisoners was denied by the authorities until yesterday,

January 20 1999.

21 January 1999
Gaborone