Judicial officer charged with threatening to kill
A Botswana magistrate, Kedirileng Venetia Moruakgomo, has been charged with threatening to kill two individuals via a WhatsApp message. She has been remanded in custody and referred for a psychiatric evaluation.
Why it matters
The case involves a high-ranking judicial official facing serious criminal allegations, raising questions about judicial integrity and mental health support within the legal system.
Mahalapye Magistrate Kedirileng Venetia Moruakgomo appeared before the Broadhurst Magistrate’s Court this week, facing a charge of threatening to kill two people.
According to the charge sheet, Moruakgomo, 40, is charged with threatening to kill, contrary to Section 220 of the Penal Code (Cap. 08:01) of the laws of Botswana.
The charge alleges that, on or about October 11, 2026, at or near Flowertown in Mahalapye, Moruakgomo, without lawful excuse, indirectly threatened to kill Tshoganetso Atlamelang and Lebogang Kebeetsweng.
The alleged threat was reportedly communicated through a WhatsApp message sent from a cellphone to Lentlhabetse Willie.
The message, as reproduced in the charge sheet, allegedly read: “I am looking for a gun to kill Atlamelang and kill myself. There will be three bodies by the end of today,” or words to that effect.
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