17 Aug 2015

The Molepolole Magistrate Court has granted bail to an Institute of Health Science’s student charged with two counts of house breaking and stealing from a dwelling house.

Gosego Tapela, 29, who stays in Old Naledi in Gaborone, is accused with another person who did not appear in court.

Information brought before court is that between the 11^th and the 13^th of February at or near Matlhapelong ward in Lentsweletau, acting together and in concert broke into a house belonging to Bokamoso Ratsie with intent to steal.

The second offence states that the two accused on the same dates and place, acting together and without claim of right stole the following items: grip generator, amplifier, music mixer, music cables, leather jacket, bag packs all valued at over P25 000 plus P400 cash being the property of Ratsie.

When asking for bail, the accused prayed court that he was a student at IHS, and that he needed to get back to school so he could catch up on the lost time while he was in custody, adding that what happened was a mere mistake and that he doesn’t really know what got into him. 

However, senior magistrate William Modise said it was a disgrace that a person of his status could be accused of engaging in criminal acts.

 He said the accused was fortunate to be sponsored by the government and yet he misuses the opportunity and wants to blow it away with trivial things, adding that there were many young people who wish they could be afforded such opportunity. 

The magistrate further said it was heartening to encounter a youth who would opt to entertain crime rather than helping to combat it as it impacts negatively on the economy of the country.

He advised the accused to reframe from criminal acts if he was involved in the crime he was accused of. 

He noted that once the police have records of his fingerprints, it would be difficult for him to get decent employment in future. 

However, the magistrate granted the accused a conditional bail of P500 bond as well as to report at the Old Naledi Police Station fortnightly during working hours. The accused is expected to appear again in court on the 17^th September. ENDS