Accused in P1.2m fraud case bailed out

Sharon Mathala | Friday July 25, 2014 12:44

 

The five - Steven Matambo (37), Ronald Dipholo (43), Brian Stock (34), Gotsileene Paakanye (34), and the only woman, Gloria Mmaletsatsi-Paul (36), stand accused of obtaining by false pretences the money amounting to P1,028,490. Mmaletsatsi-Paul is a sales consultant at First National Bank of Botswana (FNBB), Stock a director at Perfect Colour Investment while the other three are self-employed.

Yesterday, the court heard that on May 27, the five allegedly defrauded Naledi Motors of P165,285 under the pretext that they had sold the motor dealer a truck. On June 6,2014, the team allegedly pulled the same stunt, this time claiming P232,550. On the third count the accused allegedly defrauded the said company of P210,155 also claiming to have sold Naledi Motors a truck. The charge sheet also indicates that on count four, the five men on June 30, again allegedly defrauded Naledi Motors of P205,250 at Standard Chartered Bank, pulling a similar stunt on July 8 and claiming P215,250. Yesterday Sub Inspector Motlalepula Sello told the court that since the matter is still fresh, investigations are underway. She said that the accused had just been arrested and should be remanded in custody. The suspects’ lawyer, Friday Leburu, however noted that the accused had been detained since Thursday.

“The accused persons were arrested last week Thursday, some were released on Saturday whilst the others were only released yesterday, (Tuesday). It would be unfair to extend their remand as they spent an extra days in police custody than the others,” he said.

Yesterday the court also learnt that the accused person’s bank accounts had been frozen pending investigations.

“I presume that one is innocent until proven guilty, they have already spent seven days in custody, one day in jail is one day too many,” said Leburu.  August 22 was set as the date for mention.

Meanwhile still at the Extension II Magistrate court, the popular local rapper, Atlasaone Molemogi, popularly known as ATI, was expected to appear before Magistrate Joy Norman-Brown today facing charges of kidnapping.

The 24-year-old ‘O Tsididi’ hit maker is accused alongside two other people, Baboloki Phaga and Godiraone Motswedi of allegedly abducting Nayang Ngwenya.

Kgosietsile Ngakayagae represents ATI.