(MISA/IFEX) – On 8 August 2003, Charles Kidega, a freelance sub-editor for “Business and Financial Times” magazine, assaulted Gabz FM radio host Jacob Kamodi in the station’s reception area. Kidega alleged that Gabz FM had failed to air the magazine’s advertisements. Kamodi told MISA Botswana that Kidega grabbed him and kicked him twice in his […]
(MISA/IFEX) – On 8 August 2003, Charles Kidega, a freelance sub-editor for “Business and Financial Times” magazine, assaulted Gabz FM radio host Jacob Kamodi in the station’s reception area. Kidega alleged that Gabz FM had failed to air the magazine’s advertisements.
Kamodi told MISA Botswana that Kidega grabbed him and kicked him twice in his private parts. Kamodi escaped from Kidega by running into the station’s studio and calling for assistance from Acting Programme Manager Kenneth Moeng.
Kidega told Moeng that “Business and Financial Times” had held a meeting and he was following up to find out why Gabz FM was not airing the magazine’s advertisements. Moeng explained that the magazine and radio station had signed a trade exchange contract and that the commercials were in fact running as per their agreement.
“We don’t deal with this man when it comes to commercials. I don’t know why he came into the picture. He even asked to be shown which car Kamodi drives when he met our promotions coordinator downstairs,” Moeng said.
When contacted for comment, Kidega confirmed that he was at Gabz FM on 8 August. He, however, denied having assaulted Kamodi. Kamodi has since reported the incident to the police.
“Business and Financial Times” publisher Jaffar Mbui said he regretted the incident and advised Kidega to apologise to Kamodi for what he termed “uncalled for behaviour.”
MISA Botswana has condemned the incident. “We hope that the police will do their duty and bring the culprit to justice. This case is quite bizarre in that this was an organizational matter that had not been communicated to the radio station as an official complaint,” MISA Botswana National Director Modise Maphanyane said.
In a telephone interview on 11 August, Kamodi told MISA Botswana that he dropped the charges after Kidega apologised.
