Thieves Steal From Tati Siding Chief

Dolly Bathobakae | Monday January 16, 2017 16:27

 

The state alleges that two locals Jonathan Moyo (27) and Taboka Mukokomani (27), and their Zimbabwean counterparts, Author Ndlovu (30) and Prince Ngwenya (17), stole 20 gas cylinders worth P10,750 at the business premises of Nkgageng in Tati Siding on November 13, 2016.

State prosecutor Keobonye Matsapa applied for the accused to be remanded in custody because investigations into the matter are still at their initial stages.

The prosecutor also said that Ngwenya and Ndlovu are illegal immigrants and may flee the country if granted bail.

Matsapa added: “We are still on the lookout for three other suspects in connection with this matter. The accused are also suspects in another matter in which they allegedly stole P89,000 from The Way of Holiness Church also in Tati Siding”.

In response to what Matsapa said, the accused pleaded not guilty to the charge and pleaded with the court to grant them bail.

Moyo told the court that he knew nothing about the offence, but he is only implicated in the matter because he was arrested by police in the company of other accused persons. The remaining accused persons also told the court that they knew nothing about the matter and prayed with the court to grant them bail.

Magistrate Ishmael Molobe denied the accused bail to allow the police investigations to continue without any hindrance and to give the police time to arrest other accused persons who are on the run.

Molobe also acceded to the prosecution’s request to deny the Zimbabwean suspects bail because they do not have a place of abode in Botswana adding that they entered Botswana illegally. The accused are due in court on January 24. Meanwhile, a 22-year-old man also appeared in court to face one count of rape. The state alleges that  man raped a 13-year-old girl at Block IV sometimes during the beginning of this year. State prosecutor Tawana Kapongo from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) told the court that investigations into the matter are complete, adding that she did not object to the accused to be given conditional bail provided he came to court as and when required to do so.

Molobe granted the accused bail on conditions applied for by the state. The accused will appear in court again for mention on February 2.