Health minister squares up in court with maids

PETER MADIYA
Correspondent | Tuesday March 27, 2012 00:00

 

The crime is said to have occurred at the minister's residence in Moshupa village where the two women worked as his maids.According to the particulars of the offence, the two maids Selinah Kwenaetile, who is the first accused, and Kelesitse Mosepele, the second accused, are alleged to have stolen cash in foreign currency - equivalent to P65, 800 (US$9,600 and 1,700 British Pounds) - on January 25, 2012.

Giving evidence in court, the minister said he noticed the theft just minutes before his official trip to Mauritius following which he directed his wife to report the matter to Gaborone Central Police Station for further investigations. He told the court that when he was in Mauritius, his wife called him and informed him that the police suspected the maids had taken the money and that almost one third of the money was found in their possession. 

Seakgosing further informed the court that he treated the first accused like his own child as he trusted her with all his valuables including cash which he normally keeps at home for overseas trips. Both the accused persons then admitted to having stolen the cash but only US$6,000 and 1,700 British Pounds. As for the remainder of the stolen US dollars, the maids informed the court that they paid themselves as they had not been paid severance pay after being fired.

They said Seakgosing upon realising they stole the money fired them. Mosepele, who appeared confused and scared, later informed the magistrate that she did not know where the cash was kept as she was only given the foreign currency by her co-accused to change into Pulas before she was given her share of the loot.Moreover, the court also learnt from the prosecution that a total of US $1,700 was also retrieved from Onkgopotse Kwenaetile, who is the sister of the first accused person. Trial continues on April 17.