CBE report delays fake money case
SITEKI – A trial did not proceed yesterday at the Siteki Magistrates Court because the court is waiting for a report from the Central Bank of Eswatini (CBE) about the authenticity of counterfeit notes amounting to E76 300.
The fake notes were confiscated from a 25-year-old South African woman of Manguzi area and a 25-year-old man of Mpolonjeni last month.
On May 10, the duo appeared before Siteki Magistrate Machawe Bhembe, charged with possession of counterfeit notes amounting to E76 300 at Mpolonjeni on the outskirts of the Siteki.
The accused persons, Baningi Masina and Xolisile Cele, had been remanded in custody pending their appearance in court yesterday, for the commencement of their trial.
When they appeared in court, Masina and Cele elected to conduct their own defence.
Their bail applications were denied after the prosecution informed the court that they were a flight risk, considering that one of them came from South Africa.
Contempt
Baningi was also charged with contempt of court, in that he failed to appear on a rape charge.
The prosecution further opposed his bail on the basis that he had a pending contempt of court case, due to his failure to abide by his bail conditions.
Yesterday, Magistrate Bhembe remanded both accused persons in custody pending finalisation of the CBE report. They are expected back in court on June 14.
“Your trial will continue on June 14, as the court is still waiting for the CBE report. The court cannot grant bail on the conditions stated by the
Baningi Masina (25) of Mpolonjeni area in Siteki. prosecution,” the magistrate said.
In the first count, Baningi was charged for contravening Section 3 (1) (c) of the Counterfeit Currency Order Act of 1974. According to the charge sheet, the duo was found in possession of 47 South African counterfeit bank notes amounting to R4 700.
In the second count, they were charged for contravening Section 3 (1) (c) of the Counterfeit Currency Order Act of 1974.
They were allegedly found in possession of 626 South African counterfeit bank notes amounting to E62 600.
Xolisile was charged for contravening Section 14 (2) of the Immigration Act of 1983 in that she allegedly remained in Eswatini without the legal documents. Baningi was charged with contempt of court for allegedly absconding court after he was charged with rape.