Zim accused pleads for ARVs

Sharon Mathala | Thursday September 3, 2015 12:56

The 29-year-old Zimbabwean was arrested on August 29 at Old Naledi in possession of a suspected elephant tusk. The man (name withheld for ethical reasons) who hails from Plumtree in Zimbabwe, told Village Magistrate Goodwill Makofi that he has run out of ARVs and requested the court to provide him with an order he could give to the prison wardens.  “I am taking ARVs and they are finished and I am supposed to go for my regular check up on September 26. I beg this court to give me a court order so that I can be taken to hospital,” he submitted.

In court yesterday, detective Khumo Bagopi said investigations into the matter are ongoing and requested the court to extend the accused’s remand in prison.

“We are still waiting for results from the laboratory for verification on whether it is an elephant tusk. We are expecting the results this Friday and we request the court to extend the accused’s stay in prison,” said Bagopi.

“The accused is a Zimbabwean national who does not have any travel documents. His stay in Botswana is unlawful and as such he is a flight risk. We make an application for him to be remanded in custody until investigations are complete,” said Bagopi.

In response to the accused’s request to be provided with ARVs, magistrate Makofi said: “You will tell the prison warden to help you with your diet or whatever you need to do to visit the hospital.

The accused faces a serious charge of possession of an elephant tusk and is also an illegal immigrant and as such he is a flight risk. He is not suitable for bail,” said Makofi as he set the next court date for September 16.