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October 28, 2025 – Botswana –
A dramatic incident unfolded at the Mmegi–reported hearing inside the Broadhurst Magistrates’ Court, Botswana, when photojournalist Moreri Sejakgomo was physically attacked by an accused person moments after the hearing had adjourned. According to eyewitnesses cited by Mmegi, the accused, whose matter the court had just heard, charged at Sejakgomo in a rage, assaulted him, damaged his camera equipment, and uttered death threats.
The episode occurred within a courtroom after proceedings ended, exposing glaring security deficiencies in a space expected to uphold fairness and safety. Mmegi’s editorial board condemned the assault as not merely an attack on an individual reporter but as an assault on the very principle of an informed society and the free press. The editorial emphasized that when journalists are targeted, the public’s right to know is at risk.
The court holds a central role in delivering justice, yet this incident raises troubling questions about the ability of judicial venues to protect media workers performing their vital role. According to comments from the editorial, authorities must reassess and strengthen security protocols – including ensuring the visible presence of judicial police and prison officers – so that such attacks can be prevented and not merely responded to.
In addition to the physical assault and equipment damage, the death threats made against the photographer underscore the severity of the threat faced by journalists in court settings. As the accused person had just been before the court, the lapse reflects both procedural and physical vulnerabilities in the courtroom environment.
Press freedom advocates and media organizations are likely to view this event as emblematic of broader challenges around journalist safety in Botswana – a country seen as one of Africa’s stable democracies yet still grappling with episodes of harassment and violence against reporters. The incident at Broadhurst thus demands swift action from judicial authorities, law enforcement, and press-freedom bodies to ensure accountability and bolster protections for those covering public institutions.
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