A Botswana Defense Force, Lance Corporal Kelebogile Malatelele, who is alleged to be doubling as a car dealer agent, is expected to appear before Justice Godfrey Radijeng for a civil suit.
He stands accused of defrauding one Refilwe Fhoster Manyaapelo of P40, 000 for the purchase of a motor vehicle.
According to documents seen by The Sunday Standard, Malatelela, a soldier based at the Military College in Mogoditshane, has allegedly failed to pay a number of people after swindling them of substantial money.
Documents show he was at some stage grilled before his bosses where he was advised to stop acting as an agent. He was also requested to produce his passport to show his travels from Botswana to Namibia and from Botswana to South Africa (Durban)
He was cautioned about the BDF Act No. 3 of 2018, which prohibits members from crossing the border without permission from the commander as that alone is an offense which can lead to a dismissal from BDF.
Documents dated 4th March 2020 state Malatelele and the plaintiff, Manyapelo, met with a BDF officer identified only as Motlogela who presided over the meeting and cautioned Malatelele about his conduct. He was warned about 11 complaints from different members of the society, including some BDF officers.
The warnings relate to obtaining by fraudulent means and giving false information. He was advised that his conduct may lead to “some toxic outcomes” on his career if he failed to refrain from being a car dealer agent especially that the BDF is not aware of his business.
Malatele failed to pay the plaintiff until the matter was taken to court.
According to a writ of summons dated 19 March 2020, Malatelele was advised to appear before court of which he failed.
“You are informed that within 14 days of service upon you of this writ enter appearance to defend either personally or by an attorney” reads part of the writ
Sunday standard is in a possession of an order, dated 17 June 2020 from High Court Judge, Justice Godfrey Radijeng, where Malatelela together with other defendants did not appear before court.
“Upon hearing the 2nd plaintiff (Manyaapelo) representing 1st and 3rd Plaintiff and there being no appearance for the defendants and having read the documents filed of record, it is ordered that this matter is set for hearing for the 19 of August 2020
Court documents show that Lavenda Care Investment (Pty) Ltd Refilwe Fhoster Manyapelo, Berry Star (Pty) Ltd T/A Erbarmin Prints are cited as 1st, 2nd and 3rd Plaintiff against Kelebogile Malatelele and SnowMars (Pty) Ltd cited as defendants
The BDF Director, Protocol and Public Affairs Colonel Tebo Dikole says they are investigating the incidents as BDF officers.
Dikole further says since the matter is before court, the BDF is constrained to discuss the matter because the matter is sub judice.
