29 Jun 2017

A trial in which two men are accused of stealing P300 000 belonging to Taj Filling Station in Molepolole will commence August 28 before Molepolole Magistrate Michael Itumeleng.

The two accused, Moses Tankomane and Mothusi Popego aged 32 and 36 of Phalane and Monametsana wards in Molepolole, acting together in consent with Wabo Nthole of Broadhurst, who is still at large, allegedly robbed Taj Filling Station over P300 000 sometime in July 2011 using actual violence on Ms Malebogo Piti.

The state brought its first witness, Taj Filling Station managing director Mr Sufiyan Haddadi, who told the court about the alleged disappearance of money briefly after it was sorted following its removal from the cash safe when Ms Piti and Ofentse Soboloka were left in charge.  

Mr Haddadi, who said he was unwell on the fateful day, told the court that upon completing the daily routine with the workers, he went to his car with an intention of going home, but he was notified about the robbery before going home.

“I quickly approached Piti since I had left her in charge and could not relate what had transpired since she appeared to be under extreme shock,” said Mr Haddadi.

He continued to tell the court that they proceeded to the police station to report the case of robbery in which all the money made from the business during long holidays was stolen.

The witness further told the court that during the time they were counting the money other employees were not involved as he and Piti were the only ones in the office.

Mr Haddadi confirmed that he did not know the two accused persons because he was not present when the alleged robbery took place except to have spotted them later on the CCTV footage alighting from the suspected getaway car.

The duo, he said, had their faces covered during the committal of the offence.

Tankomane and Popego discredited Mr Haddadi’s evidence, describing it as hearsay as it did not implicate any one of them except what he was told, something the witness responded in the affirmative.

The State was represented by prosecution counsel, Ms Tamela Mbulawa.

They were ordered to appear for court mention on July 26.

The prosecution is expected to bring seven more witnesses when the case resumes August 28. ENDS