Moyo�s charge bound to change
Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Friday September 29, 2017 10:51
Moyo, whose case has suffered numerous postponements as it went through three magistrates, appeared before Village magistrate Goodwill Makofi for the first time yesterday. Makofi pointed out at the ‘ambiguity’ of the charge indicating to the prosecution that they would have to re-look at revising count two.
According to the charge sheet, in count one, Moyo remained in Botswana unlawfully beyond 90 days between October 31, 2012 and June 21, 2017 in Gaborone for a period of 1,695 days (4 years, 233 days).
On the second charge, the accused is said to have defrauded 165 people money as legal fees by falsely pretending that he is a duly registered lawyer and admitted as such in Botswana whilst he knew that the presentation was false from November 1, 2012 to June 21, 2017 through his Para Legal Services and Consultancy Company.
Makofi said the charge on count two is duplicity. He said the number of alleged defrauded people within that period could be separated to stand-alone counts.
It is alleged that the accused operated an unlicensed business and rendered legal services and had no proper qualifications to practice as a legal advisor. It is said that 165 files of people had sought legal services from the accused with cases at district level, magistrate’s court, High Court and Court of Appeal. He has 84 people at High Court, Court of Appeal, and Industrial Court. He also did 52 cases at magistrate’s court, four at district and 25 are still unregistered.
“I would also like to get an update with regard to the bail issue,” Makofi said.
Meanwhile, the accused complained about the absence of the substantive prosecutor Keletso Nfosi. He said the prosecutor has missed the last three court appearances stalling the court proceedings.
The accused returns to court on October 10, for status update.