Nkomazana withdraws guilty plea
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Tuesday August 21, 2018 18:00
Nkomazana had pleaded guilty to all the 10 counts when he appeared before the then South Regional Magistrate Mokwadi Gabanagae two months ago in June. The accused, who at the time had no legal representation, had agreed to have forged documents of the late Tlhapane acting jointly with 12 other accused persons defrauding him of his properties and hindering his proper burial.
On the contrary, Nkomazana's 12 other co-accused persons, who are all on bail, pleaded not guilty to their charges. However, when the matter resumed yesterday before Broadhurst chief magistrate Faith Ngandu, prominent lawyer Kgosiitsile Ngakaagae told the court that he is representing the accused person.
Ngakaagae then told the court that his client is withdrawing his previous plea of guilty. 'The accused person had pleaded guilty but after thorough consultation with his counsel, he is now withdrawing that plea because it was a very bad and ill-advised move. He will undergo trial,' Ngakaagae said
Ngakaagae also indicated to the court that they would be approaching the High Court for bail.
Nkomazana is charged with corruption, theft, entering the country through an illegal point, forgery of title deeds, obtaining by false pretences and giving false information while applying for a Botswana national identity card and fraudulently obtaining a Botswana passport under the pretext that he was a registered citizen.
He is charged alongside, attorney Letlhogonolo Makgane, Billy Molefe, Motlalepula Molefe, attorney Bhekimpilo Moyo, Tebogo Edwin Koketso, Ketshepile Sharon Lempehu, Jerico Murima, Othusitse Seoke, Daniel Gasefiwe, Keothupilwe Aobakwe, Levy Mosweu and Pula Joseph.
He will appear again in court on September 5, 2018.