Musician arrested for 'theft'

ISAAC PINIELO
Correspondent | Tuesday January 12, 2010 00:00

FRANCISTOWN: Local cultural musician and dancer Rejoyce Gaonakala, who goes by the name 'Jojo' in music circles, was last Monday arrested by the police for allegedly stealing household items from her boyfriend.

Gaonakala is said to have had misunderstandings with her boyfriend, whom she was  staying with, and when he left for Christmas holidays, Gaonakala stole all the household items that were in the house.

When the boyfriend returned home he found that all the household items, including a TV, DVD player and a mirror stand were gone. He immediately suspected his girlfriend because there were no signs of a break-in. He reported the matter to the police who later arrested Gaonakala.

During interrogations, Gaonakala is said to have given the police contradicting statements. At first she is said to have claimed that she was in South Africa when the incident occurred on the night of December 24. She is said to have later admitted to having taken the items and that they were hers although she could not produce any proof of ownership.The goods where later recovered at Gaonakala's home village where she had allegedly taken them and they were returned to the owner.

Superintendent Rodney Nkokwe of Kutlwano Police Station confirmed the incident and noted that the artist was released from custody after her boyfriend pleaded with the police to drop the charges.'The boyfriend told us that all he wanted was his items and that he did not have intentions of pursuing the case since the accused had returned them,' he said.

When contacted for comment, Gaonakala denied ever being arrested and said she had only been confronted by the police who wanted to know why she had taken the items. She also claimed that she shared the goods in question with her boyfriend and that her boyfriend wanted to cheat her of the items.