News / Africa
Fake land baron jailed
02 Jun 2016 at 06:51hrs | Views
A dubious self- made land baron was last week sentenced to 16 years in jail after he was found guilty of four counts of obtaining by false pretence and four for forgery.
The Voice reported that Kaherika Dierenge of Bombadi ward in Maun appeared before Magistrate Phandiwe Taka who also ordered him to pay his victims a total of P17 700, the money he took from them as deposits of various plots in Matshwane ward.
The court heard that on different dates in 2004, 2009 and 2010 Dierenge forged Tawana Land Board certificates of Customary Land Grant in respect of certain plots situated in Matshwane claiming to be certificates issued to him by the land board.
He is said to have taken money from different people claiming to have a lawful authority to sell the said plots.
The certificates are said to have had fake board members signatures.
"In one of the certificates you faked Board Secretary's signature yet in 2004 that position was referred to as Board Clerk; it's only that your clients were not aware of that."
In mitigation Dierenge told court that he was a bread winner with two kids to look after.
He also told court that he was a beneficiary of the Poverty Eradication Scheme and that going to jail meant his goats would suffer.
"I will borrow money to compensate the complainants and if I go to prison then I won't be able to pay them back," he pleaded with court.
However Taka said that looking at the nature of the offence and interest of the society, he deserved to be jailed.
"You took advantage of people's need for land and misled them into thinking you had genuine plots for sale," said Taka before sending him to jail.
He also ordered him to pay paid back the complainants before December 31.
Universe Kabecha of Directorate of Public Prosecution represented the state while Dierenge represented himself after his attorney recused himself from the case.
The Voice reported that Kaherika Dierenge of Bombadi ward in Maun appeared before Magistrate Phandiwe Taka who also ordered him to pay his victims a total of P17 700, the money he took from them as deposits of various plots in Matshwane ward.
The court heard that on different dates in 2004, 2009 and 2010 Dierenge forged Tawana Land Board certificates of Customary Land Grant in respect of certain plots situated in Matshwane claiming to be certificates issued to him by the land board.
He is said to have taken money from different people claiming to have a lawful authority to sell the said plots.
The certificates are said to have had fake board members signatures.
"In one of the certificates you faked Board Secretary's signature yet in 2004 that position was referred to as Board Clerk; it's only that your clients were not aware of that."
In mitigation Dierenge told court that he was a bread winner with two kids to look after.
He also told court that he was a beneficiary of the Poverty Eradication Scheme and that going to jail meant his goats would suffer.
"I will borrow money to compensate the complainants and if I go to prison then I won't be able to pay them back," he pleaded with court.
However Taka said that looking at the nature of the offence and interest of the society, he deserved to be jailed.
"You took advantage of people's need for land and misled them into thinking you had genuine plots for sale," said Taka before sending him to jail.
He also ordered him to pay paid back the complainants before December 31.
Universe Kabecha of Directorate of Public Prosecution represented the state while Dierenge represented himself after his attorney recused himself from the case.
Source - The Voice
