Woman In Trouble For Aiding Zim Suspect

Lebogang Baingapi | Monday November 9, 2015 12:03

 

Mabaya said she thought the Zimbabwean was wanted for illegally staying in Botswana adding that she was not aware of his criminal activities.  Both Mabaya and the Zimbabwean stay in a rented  home at Setupung ward in Bobonong.

The investigating officer said he went to the residence of Mpofu and Mabaya following a tip-off and upon arrival Mabaya denied staying with Mpofu and directed police to Rasetimela ward.

During cross examination, Mabaya denied ownership of the said house, stating that it was rented by Mpofu.

“I only helped him look for a house,” she said. “I don’t even know how much was paid for the rent.”

Mabaya said she was sorry for lying to the police, claiming that she did not know what the police were investigating at the time. However, the investigating officer emphasised that Mabaya jeopardised his investigations.

The investigating officer also told the court that he implicated her in the matter because the stolen items were recovered from the house that her landlord confirmed she rented. He said some of the goods were recovered from a traditional healer who claimed that Mpofu paid him with them. He said Mpofu had admitted that he stole the said goods because the complainant, Isaac Mmamadi, had refused to pay  him the  P500 he owed him for a piece job. The court was satisfied that both the accused had a case to answer.

Mpofu testified that after performing a piece job for Mmamadi, he threw him from pillar to post about the payment and ultimately threatened to shoot him.

“He said go away, am a police officer I don’t employ illegal immigrants,” he said. He said he decided to take Mmamadi’s goods because he had used his money to pay his co-worker. Mabaya, a Bobonong resident, was arrested in Gaborone together with Mpofu. The duo face two counts of house breaking and stealing goods worth P6,200.