28 Nov 2019

Jwaneng Magistrate, Gaone Bagopi has denied 42-year-old Chandapiwa Peter, who is accused of stealing goods worth about P44 000, bail pending trial. 

When appearing before the court to argue for remand, investigating officer, Detective Constable Ontiretse Kau said that they were still trying to establish the accused’s correct place of abode. 

He said that so far, the accused had not been honest as she had given the investigating team many places across the country as her places of residence. 

“Firstly she informed us that she originated and stayed at Sebina, but later changed her statement and said that she resided at Borolong near Francistown. 

She has also given other places such as Otse near Lobatse as well as Gaborone, but could not give us the plot numbers,” he said. 

Constable Kau therefore pleaded with the court to remand the accused while they try to establish her real place of residence, and that the accused was considered a flight risk and the investigating team was likely to struggle finding her whenever needed. 

“Until we establish her proper place of residence, we plead that the accused be remanded,” he said. 

When pleading for bail, the accused denied ever giving the investigating team conflicting information pertaining to her place of residence. 

She indicated that she was a tenant at Block 6 in Gaborone, but said she could not recall the plot number. 

She also pleaded with the court that her children were left alone in Gaborone with no one to take care of them, and that the youngest, a five-year-old, was asthmatic. 

“At the moment, they do not even know my whereabouts or that I have been arrested. 

At least if the court could give me bail so that I could take them to their aunt and arrange with her to take care of them in the meantime,” she said. 

She said that she was also concerned that the landlord would kick them out should she fail to pay the rental money end of this month. 

The accused also indicated that she was diabetic, and that the investigating team had been refusing to bring her medication. 

Concerning the counts, she said that when she was arrested she was informed of only one count, but was surprised to hear two counts read instead, and with such a high value for the goods allegedly stolen. 

However, Ms Bagopi informed her that the value was just an estimation and also advised her to fully cooperate with the investigating team. 

She said the court’s main concern was the welfare of the children, adding, ‘you must cooperate with the investigators for the sake of your children, and because you indicated that the eldest child was 18 years old, she is responsible enough to liaise with the aunt for a way forward”. 

She said that the investigating officer would be directed to call the aunt so that she could go and collect the children. 

Ms Bagopi advised the accused to furnish the investigators with the contact numbers of her landlord so he could direct them to the place. 

The accused is alleged to have broken into a house in Jwaneng on Monday, where she proceeded to steal, among others, an assortment of electronic appliances and gadgets such as a laptop, cellphones and cameras. 

Prosecutor, Sub Inspector Edwin Supang said that they would call seven witnesses in the matter. 

The accused will appear again on December 12 for mention. ends