Dealer Dupes Farmers OF Nine Cattle

Boniface Keakabetse | Monday March 13, 2017 17:28

 

The accused faces six counts of obtaining by false pretences contrary to section 308 of the penal code.

Appearing for arraignment on Friday, magistrate Mompati Sibanda reserved plea.

Details of the case are that on February 21 at Xhana settlement; the accused obtained nine  herds of cattle from different farmers in the Xhana area claiming that he was an agent for Ngamiland abattoir. The accused allegedly took all nine cattle valued at P 25,250 but did not return to pay farmers as promised. The matter was reported to the police leading to the arrest of the accused.

State prosecutor Paul Basupi of Botswana Police Services pleaded with the Court not to offer Mpala bail saying the accused does not have a permanent residence in Botswana nor travel documents. 

Basupi further stated that investigations into the matter are ongoing.

However, Mpala revealed that he has been living in Botswana since 2003. He said he acquired a Botswana residence permit in 2003 which expired in 2006. Mpala refuted that he has no permanent residence in Botswana, explaining that he has married a Motswana and have children with her. He also explained that he has acquired a herd of cattle during his stay and would  use some to reimburse the farmers.

Further, Mpala explained that his intentions was not to steal the cattle but that the mix-up was caused by Batswana people he was doing business with.

Magistrate Sibanda directed prosecutors to make arrangements to allow the accused to make contact with his family so that he could make arrangements to reimburse the farmers as he pledged. Mpala will  appear again for mention on March 24.