SPTC senior clerk escapes jail
Lebogang Mosikare | Thursday June 23, 2016 15:34
Retshabile pleaded guilty to a charge of obtaining P50,000 credit from Banc ABC between December 18, 2015 and January 6, 2016 in Francistown under the pretext that his salary qualified him to obtain the loan when he knew that to be false.
Retshabile however, escaped serving time in jail after senior magistrate Thebeetsile Mulalu sentenced him to 18 months in prison wholly suspended for two years on condition that he does not commit any offence, which has an element of theft.
Mulalu further sentenced Retshabile to five strokes adding that procedure dictates that Banc ABC should institute civil proceedings against the accused in order to recoup its loan.
Mulalu said he took into consideration that Retshabile was a first offender who truthfully admitted to the offence.
“The accused has pleaded guilty to the offence which is a sign of remorse on his part and he did not waste the court’s time. He appeared remorseful for his actions and I shall note that he is a breadwinner for his child, siblings and parents.
He is likely to lose his job because his superiors have already written him a letter asking him to show cause why disciplinary action cannot be taken against him which may lead to his dismissal,” said Mulalu.
Mulalu said the accused has committed to repaying the loan he acquired fraudulently and has already paid back P16,000.
On the other hand, Mulalu said, offences involving dishonesty and an element of theft are prevalent in his jurisdiction and there is an urgent need for the courts to nip them in the bud before they get out of control in order to protect society and businesses from unscrupulous people who rob them of their hard earned cash.
Earlier, Retshabile told the court that he fraudulently obtained the loan in order to pay for the medical needs of his ailing father.
“I truly regret what I did which has surely irrevocably broken my integrity before my employers. I had no intention of unlawfully obtaining the loan but was forced by my father’s ailment to get it. I promise this honourable court that I will never repeat what I did,” said a remorseful looking Retshabile.
Attorney David Olatotse represented Retshabile while Mompoloki Gaboiphiwe from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) appeared for the state.