Zimbabwean armed robbers to languish in Bots prison

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FOUR Zimbabweans and a Botswana national, who were recently arrested in Botswana on allegations of armed robbery and illegal possession of ammunition, will languish in that country’s prison.

FOUR Zimbabweans and a Botswana national, who were recently arrested in Botswana on allegations of armed robbery and illegal possession of ammunition, will languish in that country’s prison after the prosecution authorities on Monday vowed to do everything in their power to keep them locked up.

SILAS NKALA

Botswana’s Mmegi newspaper yesterday reported that prosecution declared it would do whatever it takes to make sure the accused were not granted bail.

The five, Sikhumbuzo Mpofu (47), Lytton Dlamini (41), Milton Shoko (41), Denis Moyo (35) and Thuso Maziba (23) are alleged to have robbed Engen Filling Station and Caltex Filling Station at Mogoditshane, as a spate of armed robberies hit Gaborone recently.

Prosecutor Inspector Phale Kgamanyane told the court on Monday that investigations into the case were still ongoing and there was a high possibility of the State arresting other suspects.

“Four of the accused persons are Zimbabweans and they don’t have papers allowing them to be in Botswana. As such we pray that their remand be extended,” Kgamanyane said. The prosecutor said even though one of the accused was a Motswana, they were against him being granted bail as he was a repeat offender.

In response, their lawyer Madisa Kebonyemodisa said since the prosecution had submitted that their investigations were still ongoing, the accused would not be allowed to make any bail application for now.

“However, the third accused persons says his travel documents are with Mogoditshane Criminal Investigations Department office and as such we request the court to make an order to the effect that these documents be released so that we use them when we apply for bail,” the defence lawyer argued.

Gaborone magistrate Taboka Slave ordered the police to make all the documents available and set August 26 as the next remand date.

The five appeared under heavy police escort and officers had their hands full barring their relatives who wanted to mingle with them.

Their bail application is expected to be a strongly contested affair between the prosecution and the defence as the five are considered a danger to the public.  Twitter feedback @silasnkala