20 Feb 2018

A Zimbabwean national who is accused of stealing P3.9 million from his late employer is expected to plead guilty to multiple charges he is facing together with his co-accused who are on bail.

Bhekizwe Nkomazana was a gardener for the late Mr Solomon Tlhapane for 25 years until his death on September 1, 2016.

However when he appeared before Gaborone Regional South Magistrate, Mr Chris Gabanagae on February 19, the substantive prosecutor was not present as he arrived late because he was held up at another court.

Although Nkomazana was expected to plead guilty as he appraised another prosecutor, Mr Ambrose Mubika, who appeared without instructions, this was not going to serve any major development as the substantive prosecutor, Mr Relentse Mosarwa later came and informed Mr Mubika that the summary of facts, which was to be read before the court, was not yet ready.

Mr Mosarwa noted that they had traced some of the looted funds to some South African commercial banks and therefore they were still awaiting authentication papers before they could make summary of facts that would kick-start the taking of plea and set the court in motion.

Since Nkomazana had applied for separation of trial, it was unlikely that ruling on the matter, which was scheduled for March 2, will take effect as the presiding officer will not be in attendance and therefore the matter will simply be mentioned in another court.

Nkomazana is charged with corruption, theft, entering the country through an illegal point, forgery of title deeds, obtaining by false pretences and giving false information while applying for a Botswana national identity card and fraudulently obtaining a Botswana passport under pretext that he is a registered citizen.

He allegedly paid P12 000 bribe to Onthusitse Seoke, a senior registration assistant in order to be issued with a Botswana birth certificate using the names of Khaya Bheki Mazibuku.

Seoke has also been charged with official corruption for receiving the money in a personal account and issuing a Botswana birth certificate to a Zimbabwean.

Nkomazana allegedly sold Mr Tlhapane a house and a commercial plot and deposited the money into his account.

The deceased’s body lay at the mortuary for a long time, while the accused allegedly told the deceased’s children based in South Africa and UK that their father was well long after his death. Ends