FREEDOM SHORT-LIVED FOR SUSPECTED CON-MEN
TWO days after they were granted bail in Francistown, two suspected con-men were hauled 150km south on 22 April to answer for a similar case in Selibe Phikwe.
It was second time unlucky and a Friday to forget for the duo, 31-year-old Itumeleng Mmolawa and Tawa Mosweu, 35, who saw their short-lived freedom snatched away from them.
Charged with obtaining by false pretences, the pair are accused of posing as undercover cops to swindle unsuspecting citizens out of their hard-earned monies.
In the latest con gone wrong, the wouldbe officers, and two men yet to be located, allegedly tricked one Nametsegang Kgwatalala into handing over her bank cards on the pretence they were investigating a crime.
Once in possession of the cards, the crooks are said to have withdrawn close to P23,000 on 13th April.
Mmolawa and Mosweu were arrested in Francistown the next day in connection with a similar scam that took place in Tonota a day prior (12th April) to the Phikwe plot.
In this case, the couple, and a third suspect still on the run, are said to have obtained a Police officer’s ID, using it to defraud Dineo Tswee out of almost P14,000.
“They claimed to be CID officers investigating a case in which a customer had lost her money in a shop where Tswee was present. After gaining her card and PIN, they proceeded to cash P13,850. That is when the complainant realised they were thieves and reported the matter to us,” Tonota Police Officer in Charge CID, Karabo Kgaodi, had told The Voice in a previous interview.
Although they were released on P2,000 bail on 20th April, it proved to be money wasted as they were arrested and re m a n d e d in custody by Phikwe Magistrates’ Court less than 48 hours later. Securing their incarceration, the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) State Prosecutor, Nametsegang Jimson, explained the authorities were searching for two further suspects in relation to the matter.
“The accused persons before court have another case in Francistown for which they were granted bail just two days ago,” she said, nodding her head in approval as court remanded the duo in custody until 19th May.