Woman jailed for child neglect

BONTE SEEPI
Correspondent | Wednesday May 29, 2013 00:00

According to the prosecution, Sumbuso left her child in the care of her neighbour, Bakang Simon, at Monarch Area 9 on the morning of January 26, 2013 at around 7am. She left her daughter with the neighbours with the understanding that she would pick her up later that same day, which she never did.Prosecutor, Nancy Obonye, told the court that by the time the accused was found in Tlokweng near Gaborone on February 3, the child was being taken care of by matrons at Nyangabgwe Referral Hospital.

When Bagopi asked the accused about the facts written on the charge sheet, Sumbuso agreed with what was written on the charge sheet.'When leaving the child, your intention was to abandon the child without taking care of her. Why did you abandon the child?' asked Bagopi.Sumbuso could only murmur that she was hurt, without elaborating, when she left her child.  Consequently, Bagopi convicted Sumbuso stating: 'Now that you are no longer the accused but the convict, you are therefore remanded in custody. Litigation and sentencing will be on June 18.'

In another matter, a 26-year-old man of Area Donga was also convicted and remanded in custody for two counts of house break-in and theft.On May 21, 2012, Meshack Botlogile kicked the door to Banyanabothe Gabe's house and unlawfully entered the house. Prosecutor Obonye said Botlogile stole a black Home Theatre System worth P1,300 and a Samsung cell phone worth P300. The home theatre system has been recovered and it was shown in court as evidence.

Neighbours caught Botlogile trying to run away with the goods and reported the matter to the police.The Samsung cell phone has not yet been recovered.Obonye also revealed that the accused has had another theft case that was resolved at Donga Customary Court. He was sentenced to four strokes and five months imprisonment, which were wholly suspended.  Bagopi convicted Botlogile and ruled that he should be remanded in custody. The sentence date is set for June 19.