Controversial Councillor Modenga Dies

Chakalisa Dube | Monday February 26, 2018 17:00

 

“His wife informed me about his death today morning (Sunday). She was not that elaborate but from what I understand Modenga died in Gaborone. He died early in the morning today. He has not been well for some time,” said BDP Francistown region chairperson, Baemedi Medupi in an interview yesterday.

Modenga’s attorney Unangoni Tema also stated that “Modenga died at his home in Gaborone today morning. At the moment we cannot divulge much details about his death”.

At the time of his death, Modenga was facing many criminal and corruption charges. Before he was ousted as deputy mayor the BDP had urged him to consider resigning in order to clear his name amidst criminal and corruption allegations levelled against him.

In a leaked audiotape in 2016, the BDP chairperson Mokgweetsi Masisi and some councillors, were heard saying they should meet to decide the fate of the controversial Modenga on account of criminal and corruption allegations linked to him.

But the BDP councillors decided not to remove him as deputy mayor.

Modenga has also been chided for his continuous absence during council proceedings although some councillors have leaped to his defence saying that he was ill.

In June last year sister publication, Mmegi reported that crime busters from the Directorate on Corruption and Economic Crime (DCEC) were investigating Modenga and some Francistown City Council employees about allegations related to illegal selling of Self Help Housing Agency (SHHA) land.

Two months earlier, Magistrate Jennifer Chikate had ordered Modenga to pay three months instalments of P5,000 to settle a P15,000 loan he acquired from Lumbidzani Bajo.

During that time, documents produced in court showed that the controversial councillor who drove a sleek Range Rover takes home salary was P200 after all deductions and other debts have been paid.

Recently some criminal charges against him were dropped after he compensated some of the people he swindled out their money.

But as The Monitor reported last week, there was a warrant of arrest out for the late councillor for a charge of obtaining under false pretences.  He was alleged to have swindled an army man, Oarabile Lesetedi of P104, 000.