Court clerk guilty of theft
Lebogang Mosikare | Friday May 30, 2014 16:32
Before sentencing Ntwayagae, prosecutor Archie Makgoa from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) noted that Ntwayagae was a first offender. In passing judgment, Basupi Ntwayagae acknowledges that being a first offender worked in her favour. However, Basupi told Ntwayagae that it was embarrassing for her to have stolen P1,000 that is far much smaller than her salary adding that he did not mean that stealing small amounts is permitted in law because the amounts are equally important to the state just like larger amounts.
“I also take into account what you said in mitigation. I already know that you received punishment because you lost your job,” said Basupi, before adding that he was going to increase Ntwayagae’s sentence.
He did not do that. Basupi added that in his view the money Ntwayagae stole did not benefit her. But he said further that “balancing society’s interest and your interest, I sentence you as follows. “In the first count, I sentence you to three years in jail, wholly suspended for two years that you shall not commit any offence that has an element of theft. I also fine you P50.”
Ntwayagae was given the same sentence in the two remaining charges.
She was told to pay the fines, of P150, immediately or risk going to jail.
In mitigation, Ntwayagae told the court to have mercy on her because she is an orphan taking care of her three children who are still young. She also told the court that she was taking care of the children of her sister who has passed away.