07 Oct 2013

The Mmadinare Village Development Committee (VDC) court of injustice event held on over the weekend has raised P59 000.

The court of injustice convicted dignitaries such as Assistant Minister of Health, Dr Gloria Somolekae, acting managing director of Barclays Bank, Mr Aupa Monyatsi, the bank's public and media relations manager, Mr Sakaeyo Baitshepi and Mr Kenneth Mogae amongst others.

The VDC chairman, Mr Modisa Motshegwa said the funds raised at the event would be used in village development projects. He said most of the funds will be used to renovate and develop VDC houses in the village. He said they intended to install ceilings, toilets and the repainting of the houses.

The judge who presided over the court, Attorney Oarabile Molefhe from Molefhe and Marata Attorneys also convicted and fined residents of Mmadinare, Mr Motlamorago Gaseitsiwe, Mr Serwalo Tumelo, Mr Ditshupo Ntwaagae, Mr Dikgakgamatso Moremi, Mr Phemo Molapisi, Mr Rantshudu Rantshudu, Mr Sennye Obuseng,  Mr Mogomotsi Motshegwa and Dr Benard Mosimanyana among other residents amounts ranging from P500 to P1 500 each.

Those who were summoned to attend the court but, were not present were charged P500 in absentia. All women who were not being prosecuted were also charged P20 each for being present at the occasion.

When reading out the verdict  for Dr Somolekae, her relatives and friends, Mr Molefhe fined them P10 000. He said, Dr Somolekae was found guilty for harvesting mophane worms in Kgagodi during holidays.

“Dr Somolekae herself, ga a ise a emise go bapala phane ha ale mo Kgagodi a tsile for holidays. Motho wa modimo lesa phane e tsale,” he said. Dr Somolekae pleaded guilty to the charge.

Mr Baitshepi was charged P1000 for representing the banks. When he requested the court to be lenient and to forgive Mr Monyatsi for being absent due to other official duties, the court charged the acting managing director and Barclays Bank P15 000.

Mr Kenneth Mogae was charged P500 for having a successful career in football and for being a well known player and the national team’s assistant coach. Judge Molefhe also found him guilty for having not considered establishing a football academy in Mmadinare.

Mr Rantsudu Rantsudu was also charged P500. When reading out the charge sheet, Judge Molefhe said the old Mmadinare village had no double storey building and he had changed the landscape of the Mmadinare Central Business District by erecting a magnificent building that has brought life to the village.

Meanwhile, Mr Mogomotsi Motshegwa was charged P1000 on the grounds that he grew up in Mmadinare and Panya cattle post and yet he did not marry a woman from either places. The charge sheet stated that Mr Motshegwa went all the way to Gabane to choose a woman leaving women in Mmadinare and Panya cattle post stranded and robbed of a potential husband. When Mr Motshegwa pleaded not guilty, he was charged an extra P500 for not marrying a woman from Panya cattle post.

Another resident, Mr Masego Shabane who was absent was charged P500 for being the first resident of Mmadinare to build a shopping complex that created employment for many residents of that village. He was also charged for competing in the business sector with people of Asian origin who are known to be shrewd business people.

Mr Serwalo Tumelo who was found guilty of not taking his children to the same school he attended in Mmadinare and was charged P1000.

According to the charge sheet, the accused person started his Sub A in the then No.2 school called Phethu Mphoeng where he had the opportunity to use the historic Lerole Hall but, never sent his children to the same school to continue his legacy. He was fined P1000 for leaving Lerole hall to be forgotten.

Mr Motlamorago Gaseitsiwe was charged P500 for being the last born in the family and also for being the most respected and favored son in the village. The court found him guilty because people believe that he can fit well as a Member of Parliament for Mmadinare and also for being selfish for receiving love and respect from his family, peers, workplace and the community at large.

For his part, Mr Baitshepi noted that Barclays Bank was supportive of the VDC fundraising idea which demonstrated that the VDC was self reliant and independent as the committee came up with ideas to raise funds towards the development of the village.

He said his organization’s Corporate Social Responsibility mandate is to give back to the community they serve. In this regard, by taking part in the court of injustice to contribute funds showed that they are committed to playing a role in community development. Ends