Molebatsi faces fraud charges
Assistant Minister of Agriculture, Molebatsi Molebatsi has been dragged before the court of law over a P1 800 000.00 suit and accusation of fraud. Ethel Gampone has filed against Molebatsi and Afritech Deports (Pty) Ltd, seeking that the purported contract entered into by her and Molebatsi be declared void ab inito (invalid from the beginning) on the basis of the 1st Defendant (Molebatsi)’s fraud.
Gampone further prays that Molebatsi be personally ordered to pay back the sum of P1 800 000.00; and interest thereon at 10 percent per annum. According to court papers seen by this publication on the 5th of September, 2021, a contract was signed by Molebatsi and Gampone for the sale of 10 percent shares of Afritech, valued at P1 800 000.00.
“A full payment of P1 800 000.00 was executed by the Plaintiff to the 1st Defendant. This was despite existing preconditions in the agreement to doing so, which were not followed due to the 1st Defendant indicating to personally be bound to the transaction,” reads the court papers. The papers indicate that Molebatsi willfully misrepresented to Gampone that Afritech had secured profitable business and motivated a small 10 percent share to be at the hefty valuation of P1 800 000.00.
“1st defendant willfully misrepresented that there was finalisation of an agreement in favour of the 2nd defendant in a Radisele Storage Tank Project, and that there would be written confirmation of securing a 4 hectare land in respect of the Project, all in favour of the 2nd Defendant,” reads the Filing Notice by Rammika Tafa and Jallow attorneys. According to the papers, Molebatsi then proceeded on the 30th of November 2021 to cease to be Director in Afritech. 'This was in further perpetuation of the fraud by the 1st defendant as there was no brief or hand over of project to the plaintiff on his ceasing to be the director, or any suggestion that the 2nd defendant is continuing with the contract and more importantly, the Radisele Storage Tank project,' argues the lawfirm.
“The plaintiff maintains that at all times, the 1st defendant secured the funds stated in this matter under willful misrepresentation and implemented his scheme by deliberately proceeding to; falsely market the 2nd defendant as having new business that inflated its shares; and exiting the 2nd defendant (Afritech) as director. Plaintiff further maintains that 1st defendant has fraudulently and/or recklessly conducted business, premised on their above factual background such as to be personally liable per section 481 of the Companies Act,” reads the court papers.