Three ‘children traffickers’ imprisoned
Lesedi Mkhutshwa | Tuesday January 21, 2025 10:06
According to the charge sheet read in court, on counts one and two respectively, Khupe and Donga on or about December 10, 2024 at or near Ramokgwebana border in the North-East administrative district, unlawfully entered the Republic of Botswana through an ungazetted point of entry and remained therein. Furthermore, on count three of smuggling of persons, the accused persons, Moyo and Khupe, acting together, on orabout December 10 of 2024 at or near Maitengwe border in the North East administration district, smuggled one minor child aged around seven years who is a Zimbabwean national with no travelling documfnts into Botswana using a motor vehicle registered KN8LNGP and they did so in order to obtain financial benefit from his parent.
On count four, Moyo and Donga, acting together around the same day, smuggled five minor children, who were Zimbabwean nationals and without travel documents, in or around Maitengwe. The children were aged 16, 11, 13, 6, and three-years-old. Khupe begged the court to be merciful and lenient during the mitigation hearing. 'I didn't do it on purpose, but life's challenges forced me to. I'm pleading for your forgiveness. Among my children is my sister's daughter, whom I am currently caring for. No one is going to look after her while I'm away. She was supposed to go for her Form 1,”he said. Additionally, Donga also requested the court to show mercy and to forgive him for his actions.
He stated that if at all possible, he should be penalised rather than imprisoned for the crime he committed because he is caring for the elderly in Zimbabwe. “I humble myself and beg for forgiveness before this court. I only wanted money for petrol. This is the first time I've committed any criminal act. As a father, I know that no one will be supporting my children when the schools reopen,' Moyo added. Furthermore, he stated that one of his kids requires his assistance because he would be taking O'Level examinations. In his ruling, Magetse stated that, in the interest of society, he decided to sentence Khupe to 36 months imprisonment but 24 months wholly suspended on condition that the accused is not to be convicted of similar offence within three years.
He further said that the sentence is backdated to the duration the accused person was remanded (December 10) whilst waiting for the finalisation of the case. Magetse also sentenced Donga to 36 months in prison but 24 months is suspended on condition that accused is not to be convicted of similar offence within three years. “Meaning he is to serve 12months imprisonment term,” he added. He also said that on the fourth count, Moyo and Donga serve 36 months in prison but 24 months is suspended on condition that the accused are not to be convicted of similar offence within three years. Magetse ordered all the above sentences to run concurrently. The convicted trio Khupe, Donga and Moyo, were advised of their right to appeal the sentence at the High Court within 14 days of the verdict.