Suspended sentence for predator smuggler
Zolani Kraai | Tuesday May 6, 2014 15:41
While his three accomplices quickly pleaded guilty and were fined P5,000 each, Gasejewe pleaded not guilty necessitating the separation of the trials.
In a lengthy judgment, Raphael said he was satisfied that Gasejewe had a case to answer and the witness testimony against him was consistent and reliable.
During mitigation, Gasejewe told the court that he was a breadwinner and the father of a three-month-old infant. “Your Worship, I am sorry that I committed the crime but when passing sentence, please take into consideration the fact that the cats are still in Botswana. I tried to steal Sir but I failed, thank you,” he said.
Gasejewe later expressed his relief at the suspended sentence. “I was scared of the two years and was wondering if I was going to cope with prison life,” he said.