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Presidential computer sold by ex-secretary

UNBLUSHING BRIDE: Moleboheng Molotsane with lawyer Johannes Mokae leaving Veeeniging magistrates' court. Molotsane might face another charge after she failed to return a laptop computer. © Unknown.
UNBLUSHING BRIDE: Moleboheng Molotsane with lawyer Johannes Mokae leaving Veeeniging magistrates' court. Molotsane might face another charge after she failed to return a laptop computer. © Unknown.

Ntwaagae Seleka

Legal problems keep piling up for Moleboheng Molotsane, the big-spending former secretary in the presidency.

The high-flier might face yet another criminal charge after she failed to hand over a laptop computer belonging to the highest office in the land.

Molotsane, 26, and her husband Benjamin Matli made headlines last month when they were arrested for allegedly defrauding a Vereeniging hotel to the tune of more than R50000.

Molotsane allegedly claimed that President Thabo Mbeki's office would pay for her lavish wedding ceremony in December.

Molotsane and Matli were arrested and have appeared in court on a charge of fraud.

During her bail application on this charge at the Vereeniging magistrates' court last week, Magistrate Bruno van Eeden ordered Molotsane to hand over the laptop belonging to office of the president.

Molotsane could not comply because she no longer had the computer in her possession.

Vaal Rand police spokesman Captain Veli Mcera said that the laptop had been sold and taken out of Gauteng.

"She sold the laptop to an appliance store in Vereeniging last year for R1000," he said.

"The company later sold it to another client," Mcera said.

He said the presidency laid charges of theft in September after the laptop went missing.

Police traced the computer to Mpumalanga last week.

Mcera said Molotsane could face further fraud charges if the store laid formal charges against her.

"She convinced the store that the laptop was hers," Mcera said.

The couple allegedly defrauded the Riviera on Vaal Hotel of R50000, a horse carriage company of about R8000 and a Bedfordview car-hire company of R26000 using presidential letterheads.

Molotsane also allegedly booked a friend into an Mpumalanga hotel using the presidential letterhead.

Molotsane is out on 24-hour house arrest.

In terms of the court order, she is only allowed out on Sundays between 9am and 2pm.

Her husband was released on a warning.

The couple is expected to appear in court again on March 1.

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