According to the charge sheet, Jennepher Arbi, 59, and Fatima Natalie Jackson, 38, who are director and PRO of Jacaranda respectively, on a specific date unknown to the prosecution in 2019 in Francistown, acting jointly and in concert, forged the signature of Jackson Namajunda by introducing such signature into a document purported to be a contract of employment without the authority and knowledge of the owner to defraud him of his gratuity.
The accused, who were all represented by attorney Tshekiso Tshekiso, pleaded not guilty to the charge. Prosecutor Leano Kgalemang of the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) told Magistrate Bakang Gabaitsiwe that the state was not opposed to the accused being granted conditional bail.
Kgalemang also told the court that the prosecution was yet to furnish the defence with some documents that it (the defence) will need to prepare its defence. Tshekiso then told the court that he confirmed what the prosecution told the court.
Magistrate Gabaitsiwe granted the accused bail on condition that they appear in court as and when required to do so, and that each should bind themselves with P2,000, should each bring a surety who shall bind themselves in the like sum and not interfere with witnesses.
The accused are due in court on February 12, 2024, for the Case Management Conference.
