- The quartet accused of stealing thirteen, 2023 BGSCE final examination papers
- Former chief invigilator and teacher labelled the mastermind behind the scandal
- He reportedly used his position & privilege to steal the papers and sent to other accused
- The accused-four men and a woman have been granted bail
Five suspects behind the 2023 Botswana General Certificate of Secondary Education (BGCSE) examination papers leak scandal have finally appeared before the Francistown Magistrate Court charged with theft.
The quartet, Tshepo Okaile (39) a former chief invigilator and teacher, Precious Phalantwa (34) of Maun, 26-year-old Baroma Baroma a trainee nurse from Maun and taxi driver Bonnete Saxhoma (27) of Gumare appeared before Chief Magistrate Game Mooketsi yesterday (Thursday) accused of stealing 13 2023 BGSCE final examination papers.
The scandal which rocked the country last year led to postponements and delays in writing of the affected 2023 BGCSE examination papers. This is reported to have cost the Botswana Examination Council (BEC) millions of Pulas in reprinting new question papers and resits for the exams.
The papers in question were English language Papers 1 and 2, Science double award Papers 1,2,3 and 4, Mathematics Paper 1 and 2, Social Studies Papers 1 and 2, Geography Papers 1 and 2.
The accused persons who were appearing for the first time since the leak scandal broke last year allegedly stole the papers between June and October the same year. According to court papers, the master mind behind the heist was Okile who by virtue of being chief invigilator reportedly used his position and privilege to steal the examination papers.
After allegedly stealing these papers, Okile is said to have then sent them to Phalantwa and Baroma who were in Francistown. It is believed the transaction took place between the 18th September and 6th of October last year. During the same period, while in Maun Saxhoma is said to have also received the stolen papers.
Appearing for State, prosecutor Moffat Dick requested for the matter to be transferred to the Regional Magistrate, as the accused persons are from Francistown, Selebi Phikwe and Maun. The transfer he said will ensure the accused persons are tried before one court and also ease the burden of coordinating and transporting witnesses.
The State did not oppose the accused persons being granted bail in which they were ordered to pay P2 000 cash bail each and also avail two sureties who will bind themselves with the same amount. Further, the accused persons were ordered to report themselves to the nearest police station once every month, desist from committing any criminal activities and attend all court mentions.
The matter will return to court on the 28th of January next year.
