Suspect says police stole his money

Sharon Mathala | Wednesday September 2, 2015 15:14

 

Santani Kolane made the allegations when appearing before Village Magistrate, Priscilla Ditlhong, yesterday.

The 30-year-old and two others are accused of stealing P70,000 and a Blackberry handset from one Michael Seleke at the Gaborone West shopping centre on July 4.

Kolane told the court that he had P5,000, which the police stole before attacking him.

He said: “When they arrested me they beat me up. I had money with me. I had P5,000 in my pocket and they took that also. I do not know where I am going to get money for bail.

“After beating me up they took me to one clinic where I was referred to Block 9 clinic. I was then told there was no doctor available to assist me and they have since refused to take me back to the clinic.”

Kolane said police had denied him access to his cellphones, which he needed to call his family.

‘They refused with my cellphones,” he added. “They told me they do not want me communicating with my family. On the way here to court, one special constable out of the goodness of his heart allowed me to use his cellphone to make a call.”

For his part, Sergeant Chuku Pheto said investigations had been completed and the prosecution had no objection to bail. Magistrate Ditlhong ordered that Gaborone West police investigate the allegations of assault.

“The investigating officer in this matter should file an affidavit in regard to the allegations of assault,” she said. “The prosecutor should make sure the accused is taken to the hospital by close of business today.”

The cases resumes on September 15.