Zim robbery accused demand passports

Goitsemodimo Kaelo | Wednesday December 7, 2016 15:43

 

The two men, Ngxabutho Mbele and Stanley Ndlovu, together with Thuso Mabiza, have been charged with a single count of armed robbery for a crime that happened in 2011.

The trio are alleged to have robbed Unique Superstore Mascom airtime valued at P12,188.70, Orange airtime (P5,118.75), beMobile airtime (P7,515.45) and quick recharge worth P50,000 at gun point in 2011.

In court, the two tried in vain to plead with the magistrate to order the state to hand over their passports which were confiscated at the time of their arrest in South Africa back in 2011. The first accused, Mbele, said that the passport will help him in his defence. He said he had requested in writing to the South African authorities to hand over his passport, but was advised to talk to Botswana authorities as they (South Africans)  had been passed it to Botswana through Interpol.

“They have told me that the passports will be handed to Botswana Interpol, so I should talk to local authorities,” said Mbele. His co-accused Ndlovu said the police took his passport and $800 (about P8,500). The two further argued against their trial commencing in July 2017. They contended that the magistrate should set a nearer date for their trial because they have been in prison since their 2011 arrest in South Africa. Third accused Mabiza pleaded to be given bail.

In response Ngandu said the South African authorities can better answer about the issue of the passports. She advised the accused to write to the authorities and demand their passports. The magistrate wondered, on hindsight, how the passports will help the accused in their defence.  Ngandu also explained to the accused that the court will not give them special treatment.

She said cases are dealt with according to how they appear in the system. She said this case was registered in 2016, and will be dealt with accordingly, as any other matter. She further said she could not comment on the time the accused were in prison in South Africa as she did not know what they were doing there.

She ordered the prosecution to avail the Investigating Officer in the next mention to deal with the bail application of the third accused, Mabiza.

The trio were remanded in custody and will appear again on December 19.