Former friends in court over unpaid debt

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Wednesday August 25, 2010 00:00

Urban Customary Court president Dikwalo Monametsi yesterday heard a case in which Thapelo Machobane wants Odirile Rakereng to repay P2,400 he had lent him.

The court was told that Machobane owned a photography studio in the Main Mall that he shared with another person. At that studio, Machobane employed his 'friend' Rakereng to help him take still and motion pictures.

Machobane said that one day when he arrived at the office, he and his partner noticed that a camera and other equipment were missing. Machobane told court that the missing items belonged to his partner.

Upon investigations, Machobane told court that they suspected Rakereng, hence they reported the matter to the police. 'Rakereng and three others were arrested and detained at the Central Police Station,' Machobane said.

He told court that at the police station, Rakereng confessed that he had taken the missing camera. 'Rakereng asked me to pay the owner of the camera after he undertook to refund me,' Machobane said.

Machobane stated that he convinced his partner to drop the charges after paying the full value of the camera, in the knowledge that Rakereng would reimburse him later.

However, upon his release from police custody Rakereng never honoured his undertaking.

Rakereng told the court that he never owned up to stealing the camera hence he could not have agreed to repay Machobane.

He even dismissed evidence by Machobane's witnesses saying they were fabricating stories against him.

Tshoganetso Gabotlhaleshwe had earlier told court that he was detained with Rakereng when the incident happened.

Gabotlhaleshwe had informed court earlier that Rakereng told him that Machobane had agreed to pay the owner of the camera for them to be released from custody. 'Rakereng told me that Machobane agreed to pay for him so that the camera owner could drop the charges. He also told me that he agreed to repay him once he was out and has made some money,' Gabotlhaleshwe said.

After listening to the heated exchanged between the two parties, Kgosi Monametsi ordered that police officers who handled the case be called to testify before he can decide the case.

The case continues on September 7.