Lehlohonolo Matubatuba (45) of Ha Mopeli is serving five years in prison after failing to pay M10 000 fine for being in illegal possession of a diamond worth M85, 772,00 at market value. According to the court papers, Matubatuba was arrested on May 2 2023 after the Police got a tip-off that he is in possession of a white diamond weighing 4.654 carat. The police disguised as people looking to buy a diamond and he allowed them to come and see the
diamond.

Upon arrival, the police followed him to his shack where he sells traditional medicine near Meriting where he showed them the diamond. The police then arrested him as he did not have a certificate for being in possession of such a diamond.
The accused is charged with contravening section 6 (1) (c) read with section (4) of the Precious Stones Order of 1970. The case was before Magistrate ‘Mamosebatho Kantoro and prosecuted by Prosecutor ‘Makhotso Letsoisa.