'Land fraudster' arraigned

Lenitame Motsokono | Thursday February 1, 2018 17:15

 

The state alleges that the unemployed Phenyo Monthe, 31, with intent to defraud obtained P56,500 from Keagetse Mathuba on September 2016 in Francistown.

He allegedly told Mathuba that he possessed a plot in Palapye Extension 8 that he was selling whereas in truth and fact the said plot was not registered under his names.

State counsel Moatlhodi Macheng told the court that investigations into the matter are complete.

The alleged land fraudster pleaded not guilty to the charge after he was arraigned. He added that he would engage an attorney to represent him in the matter. 

Magistrate Lebogang Kebeetsweng granted Monthe bail on condition that he binds himself with P2, 000 and bring two sureties who shall each bind themselves with P1, 000. Monthe will appear in court again on February 27.

Meanwhile, six men appeared before Justice Gaolapelwe Ketlogetswe facing one charge of murder. 

The state alleges that Suzisani Dube, 21, Felix Moyo, 25, Kulekani Maposa, 37, Perfect Moyo, 23, who are illegal immigrants from Zimbabwe and locals, Ditiro Dikgafela, 23, and Nkemisang Tiro, 26, murdered Botshelo Moyo at Mokgalo cattlepost near Mosetse and Kutamogore villages in 2015.

The deceased was also an illegal immigrant from Zimbabwe.

He later died at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital where he was hospitalised after the accused allegedly beat him for stealing a cellphone. 

State counsel Gonayaone Ketlhapetswe applied for Dikgafela’s bail to be revoked after he failed to appear in court for reasons unknown to the prosecution.

The matter was postponed after one of the defence lawyers Isaac Seleka prayed with the court to be excused from continuing with the trial on Wednesday in order to take his indisposed relative to Gaborone for medical attention.

The trial was scheduled to take place for the whole of this week. Justice Ketlogetswe then cancelled Dikgafela’s bail.

The accused are due in court on April 27 for continuation of trial.