Six accused of defrauding MoE

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Wednesday February 24, 2010 00:00

State prosecutor Thabo Malambane told the court yesterday that he had yet to secure an amended charge sheet for the suspects, Olaotse Masisi, Tadubana Mogotsi, Mogomotsi Molatlhegi, Kingston Mmolawa, Brinnel Stock and Biki Letsididi.

They are accused of swindling the Ministry of Education and Skills Development of over P30, 000 by paying ghost Limkokwing University off-campus students who were owed outstanding allowances.

The accused, Masisi, Mogotsi, Molatlhegi, Letsididi and Stock are representing themselves, while Phodiso Motsau appeared for Mmolawa.

The case comes up for mention on March 23. Malambane told the court that two of the accused persons, Mmolawa and Stock were not present in court.

'Mmolawa served me with a medical certificate from one of the government hospitals showing that indeed he was not well to attend the court proceedings', Malambane said.

As for Stock, Malambane expressed suspicion that he (Stock) might be in the hands of the police.

He told the court that he had seen Stock in handcuffs just outside the court. He however did not make an application for revocation of Stock's bail.

 Malambane promised the court that he would be in a position to produce an amended charge sheet, which the accused will plead to during the next court appearance.

The six suspects have been granted bail of P10, 000 each. Nyamadzabo also ordered the accused not to interfere with prospective prosecution witnesses and that they should not be suspects in any criminal matter.

The chief magistrate also ordered them to surrender their travel documents to the investigating officer and that they should attend all scheduled court dates. 

They were also ordered to provide two sureties of P6, 000 each and report to the investigating officer every Tuesday between 7am and 16.30 pm.

Nyamadzabo ordered that those granted bail remain in custody until they have satisfied their bail conditions.