Monday, June 5, 2023

Francistown businessman charged with fraud

A Francistown businessman, 28-year-old Michael Fortune Balapi, also known as Bling, on Monday appeared before Francistown Magistrate Dumisani Bagopi to answer to a single count of fraud.

It is alleged that sometime in 2012 (date and month not known to the prosecution), Balapi with the intent to defraud, obtained an amount of P120 000 from one Boikago Mmese by promising to buy her a car from the United Kingdom (UK) which he never did.

During the time, the accused owned Emotive Car Import, a Francistown based company that deals with the import of cars from abroad.

The accused has however pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The court released him on bail, on condition that he pays P5 000 and provide two sureties in the sum of P 2 500 each. The court also demanded that he should always avail himself in court whenever he is needed in court and should report once a week at the Francistown Central Police Station.

On another matter, Magistrate Bagopi, granted bail to one Kennedy Morris, a middle aged man of Kutamogoree village in the Central Administrative District who is facing a single count of murder.

According to the charge sheet, on the 8th of October this year, Morris allegedly murdered his girlfriend by shooting her with a rifle in Kutamogoree village after a misunderstanding. The accused has also not pleaded guilty to the offence.

He was released on P1 000 bail and has to provide two sureties in the sum of P1 000 each.

Morris is also required to report to Maun Police Station once a week and should not interfere with police investigations.
The accused is represented by Kesegofetse Molosiwa of Jeremia Attorneys.

RELATED STORIES

Read this week's paper