Govt unaware of Radipati's court case - Ramsay

ISAIAH MOREWAGAE
Staff Writer | Wednesday September 22, 2010 00:00

Dr Ramsay said he learnt of the case through the media hence he had no details of the matter.

'I cannot comment on such a matter as we have not been aware of the pending case,' Ramsay said.

Despite that, Ramsay further said a person is innocent until proven otherwise by courts of law. Asked whether the government does not screen people before elevating them to senior positions, Ramsay said Radipati has been holding other senior positions in government.

Information passed on to Mmegi reveals that Radipati allegedly defrauded Barclays Bank of money amounting to over P100,000 when he resigned from the University of Botswana in 2007.

In the court papers relating to the case before High Court Sign Walia, Barclays Bank is suing Radipati for damages. It is understood that Radipati acquired a loan facility from Barclays Bank, through a UB Loan Guarantee Scheme to pay for a Mercedes Benz valued at P130,000.

It is understood that when Radipati resigned, UB used his benefits to clear the balance. It is alleged that on December 18, 2007, UB issued a cheque amounting to P107,682.39 in a full settlement to Barclays Bank.

Radipati allegedly channelled into his personal account a cheque worth P107 682.39 directed by UB to the Bank. The amount was to clear an outstanding balance with Barclays Bank.

'In December 19, 2007, Radipati negotiated the said cheque and deposited it into his personal account with plaintiff (Barclays Bank). The said deposit was unlawful and wrongful in that the defendant has no claim or the said cheque,' notes a writ of summons to Radipati

The case will go for trial before Lobatse High Court judge, Sign Walia, during the first week of October.  Just a few days back, there was an outburst from the public over the appointment of Justice Michael Mothobi to the High Court.

There are still unanswered questions over his credibility, with some calling for him to clear his name first.  There are allegations that Mothobi resigned while still facing disciplinary action at UB over failure to mark some students scripts.

Despite public concerns, government went ahead and appointed him to the bench.