01 Oct 2013

Efforts to determine the fate of a house maid who was recently arraigned before Village Magistrate Court on a single charge of stealing by servant failed to materialise when the prosecution said it has been unable to prepare a summary of facts.

Yame Kelentse, who had been ordered to come before court on Sept. 24 to hear summary of facts, had to go back home dejected as her former employer had been failing to bring reclaimed goods which she had stolen to the police station to be re-counted and later exhibited before court.

Updating the court, S/Insp. Oageng Tirelo of Gaborone West Police Station said he and the investigating officer had been calling the complainant in the matter to bring the stolen goods to the police station so that they could bring the matter to finality but unfortunately the complainant has been failing to do so.

Therefore, S/Insp. Tirelo prayed the court to give him the last chance so that police could sort out the matter before coming back in the next appearance which has been scheduled for Nov. 1, 2013.

Appearing before Magistrate Basetsana Keakantse, Kelentse, 24, who had since relocated to Tonota, was exuding confidence and did not look down most of the time as she did last time. She pleaded guilty to the charge. It is alleged that Kelentse, who employed by Pelokgale Pako Motlhabanyane as a housemaid, on Aug. 31, 2013 without claim of right and with intent to permanently deprive her, of her property took away a list of property which included trendy clothing, costume jewelry, beauty cosmetics, cellphone, camera and memory stick among others totaling P3 450.

However, because the prosecution did not anticipate a plea of guilty, it requested the court to set another mention date where summary of facts would be read to the accused. The court has been informed that almost all the stolen items had been recovered.

The accused is out on bail after she bounded herself with P500 and two sureties who also bonded themselves with same amount. Because she now resides in Tonota, the court ordered Kelentse to report to the Tonota Police Station once a month. ENDS