Cops raid Sunday Standard offices
Sharon Mathala | Wednesday September 10, 2014 15:42
At around 1100hrs, Mokone, who was arrested Monday night allegedly charged with sedition, arrived in the company of four plainclothes officers suspected to be members of the intelligence organ.
A Mmegi news-crew that intercepted the ‘visit’ found Mokone seated in his office while the four officers browsed through materials, including his PC. For nearly two hours, the officers continued searching and eventually emerged carrying Mokone’s computer, three white envelopes and computer disks.
“They came in and greeted us just like normal people. They proceeded to Mokone’s office and locked themselves inside,” said a Sunday Standard staffer.
Clad in a plaid shirt, light jeans and his trademark black hat, Mokone emerged from the offices sandwiched between two officers. He managed to field questions from Mmegi and other fellow journalists before being whisked away to the waiting vehicles.
Mmegi: Did they harass or intimidate you?
Mokone: No, they did not. I am OK.
Mmegi: By confiscating your computer, are you not afraid that they could tamper with your private documents?
Mokone: They are officers of the law. I believe they will not do that.
Mmegi: Do they have a search warrant?
Mokone: Yes they do.
Mmegi: Have you had anything to eat?
Mokone: I will eat later.
Mmegi: When did they arrest you?
At this point, one of the plainclothes officers grabbed Mokone by the hand and said: “A re tsamaye, e chaile (let us go, time is up).”
Mokone and two officers left the Sunday Standard premises in a white Kia Sorento with the editor seated with one of the plainclothes in the back of the vehicle.
Five minutes later, the two remaining officers emerged and after a brief exchange with journalists who were intently photographing them, drove off in a Honda Accord, to boos from the media.
Sunday Standard journalist, Edgar Tsimane, who is understood to be linked to the current case, is said to be on the run.