Alleged fake lawyer�s real identity questioned

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday August 9, 2017 17:08

 

Moyo, (45), who is alleged to have defrauded people claiming to be a lawyer is charged with two counts of unlawfully remaining in Botswana and obtaining by false pretences.

The prosecutor in the matter yesterday told Broadhurst magistrate, Faith Ngandu that their investigations through the Interpol Zimbabwe have uncovered that the passport that Moyo presented as his, belongs to a certain Jefta Mazunyu.

“We received the response from Interpol Zimbabwe. But what is contained in that response is that his passport or what he claims to be his was issued to Jefta Mazunyu. They are yet to confirm to us where his education certificate emanates from, but concluded that they were not issued in Zimbabwe,” said Inspector Oamogetswe Gaboutlwelwe.

“We have since engaged the services of MCB Manchester for assistance in relation to the authenticity of the same certificates he holds,” Gaboutlwelwe added.

As such, she told the court that despite receiving affidavits and arguments for bail application from the defence counsel, they could not deal with bail because the investigating officer is out of the country on official duty. She also said the prosecution would need more time to establish the accused’s real identity.

“We now have to establish if indeed the accused is Limukani Moyo or if there is any relationship with the owner of the passport,” she said.

However, Defence counsel Atlang Latelang moved an application for bail and challenged the prosecution’s investigations regarding the passport issue.

“Your worship, I confirm receipt of savingram from the prosecution seeking to speak to a certain passport number. My client instructed me to confirm that indeed that is not my passport. He does not know where the IO got that passport number. From the copies of his passport number furnished to the IO they bear passport number BN68705 not BN63705. He doesn’t have anything to do with that passport,” Latelang said.

He said that the prosecution’s investigations as far as the accused is concerned, are in relation with a totally different person. He also stated that the accused is a candidate for bail. He indicated that the issue of whether the accused would be lawfully or unlawfully in the country is not a consideration for bail, but rather if the accused would be able to stand trial.

Magistrate Ngandu denied the accused bail on the basis that he is an illegal immigrant. She said it is amazing that the defence counsel could suggest that the accused should be presumed innocent until proven guilty while they admit that he is an illegal immigrant. However, she advised the accused to approach the court for bail application.

The case returns to court on August 27, 2017.