Zim man pleads for mercy

Othusitse Khuwa | Wednesday March 29, 2017 15:01

 

The Zimbabwean, Ronald Mujaji told Magistrate Kaveri Kapeko when he appeared for mitigation.

Mujaji was found by police in possession of 19 pieces of an elephant tusk on January 24 at Nzano Shopping Mall following a tip-off.

In addition, Mujaji was found guilty of entering Botswana through an ungazetted point of entry, imitating a licence disc and faking a copy of a Professional Driving Goods Permit (PRDP) for himself with intent to defraud while he knew that to be false.

On bended knees, Mujaji asked the Court to tamper justice with mercy and not pass a custodial sentence since he has pleaded guilty to the offences and has not wasted the Court’s time.

“I am legally married with three school-going children that I am taking care of. I was just trying to get money for survival since life is hard in Zimbabwe. I only picked the elephant tusk fragments at the scene of a car accident so I am asking the Court to consider how I came to possess them,” said Mujaji.

He added that he did not benefit from his offences but he rather got into trouble. “I am asking the Court to tamper justice with mercy because I unwillingly committed the offences. I have learnt from my mistakes.

Life in prison is unbearable and I am praying with the Court to at least fine me,” said Mujaji.

Earlier, prosecutor Archie Makgoa told the Court that the accused was a first offender.

The accused was further remanded in custody pending his sentence that will be delivered today (Wednesday).

Mujaji joins the growing list of Zimbabweans who always plead political, social and economic problems in their country as the main cause of their brushes with the law in Botswana.