A Ha Nqheku man who swindled four men out of a total sum of M10 600 on the pretext of selling imported second-hand shoes was on Tuesday, October 25 released on a M500 bail by the Maseru Magistrate’s Court.

It is alleged that between April and October 2022, Thabiso Mei, 25, of Ha Nqheku, Nazareth on the outskirts of Maseru posted false information on Facebook, advertising his second-hand clothes business.

It is further alleged that Keketso Khasane, Relebohile Ramokoena, Serame Tau, and Boitelo Ramangoela responded to the advert, which had invited potential customers to pay 50 percent for a bale of imported second-hand shoes, the balance of which was to be settled upon delivery of the goods.

Magistrate Makopano Rantšo heard on Monday how Khasane paid a deposit of M3 800, while Ramokoena, Tau, and Ramangoela paid M2 700, M2 400, and M1 700 respectively for their orders.

The four victims later reported the incident to the police when their orders failed to materialise, leading to the eventual arrest of Mei.

The accused was granted bail on condition that he does not interfere with the Crown witnesses, stand trial to finality, and attend all remand hearings.