29 Aug 2024

Extension II Magistrate Court Chief Magistrate, Ms Kamogelo Mmesi, has ordered that two of six men accused of robbery and fraud of gadgets valued over P1.6 million to attend the next court session without fail.

Magistrate Mmesi said this on Wednesday when Kgosietsile Leeuw, Rorisang Meswele, Thabang Jorowe and Mogomotsi Magodielo appeared for mention, while Laone Norris and Modiredi Serite absconded.

“They should appear whether they are on sick leave or not. If they don’t appear I am going to call the doctor,” Magistrate Mmesi said.

Earlier when the case was called, the state prosecutor Mr Michael Mookantsa said the last two accused persons had filed sick leaves with the investigating officer, as it was the case during the previous court sitting.

“I do not know why their sickness seems to always coincide with the court appearances,” Mr Mookantsa said.

The six accused persons are alleged to have on 22 January 2023 at Plot 99 Unit 3 Commerce Park in Gaborone, acting jointly with common purpose, robbed Sivashankar Santhaman and Timothy Makwirimba various gadgets valued P1, 631,582.

They are said to have before or after the said robbery used personal violence against the victims by threatening them with an air gun, a slasher, matchet and crow bar in order to obtain and retain the stolen property.

In addition, Leeuw, Meswele, Magodielo and Norris are also accused of acting jointly with common purpose as they robbed Dr Shadrack Chilume and Keetshabe Kilego of iphone 12 promax, sony digital camera, camera case and a memory card, CCTV dvr Box, hp probook 450 G2 laptop, vacuum cleaner, black Itel Phone and all valued at P43, 465 and cash amounting to P1 500 on January 7, 2023 at Plot 99 Unit 3 Commerce Park in Gaborone.

It is further alleged that at, or immediately before the time of the said robbery, they used personal violence against the victims by assaulting and threatening them with slasher, matcher and a crowbar in order to obtain and retain the stolen property.

On the third charge, Leeuw, Meswele, Magodielo and Norris are accused  of falsely pretending to be Tatenda Magwende ‘s friend, Dr Chilume  and acted jointly with common purpose with intent to fraud and obtained P3 000  at Pick and Pay South Ring Mall in Gaborone  on January 7 2023. The accused persons will appear for mention on 11 September.