Alien named Zimbabwe pleads guilty to child trafficking

Othusitse Khuwa | Wednesday April 5, 2017 16:22

 

Zimbabwe Moyo (37) of Plumtree was arrested by police at Sekukwe settlement along the Francistown-Matsiloje road in the company of two girls aged three and eight on March 31.

He subsequently pleaded guilty to a charge of promoting trafficking in persons when he appeared before Magistrate Kaveri Kapeko.

Inspector Goitsemang Ramatatome made an application for the accused to be remanded pending facts reading.

He added: “The accused was arrested en-route to South Africa with the minor children.

We fear that if he is granted bail he may escape and not stand trial. We apply that the Court orders social workers to help the children with all their needs while we endeavour to trace the parents of the children who are said to be in South Africa.”

In response, although Moyo pleaded guilty to the offence, he said he can cooperate with the police to trace the parents of the children whom he said are in South Africa.

He also asked the police why they impounded his car since the children were not found in his car following his arrest.

At the end of the accused’s brief appearance in court, Kapeko ordered social workers to assist the children with all their needs pending the finalisation of the matter.

“The accused shall be remanded in custody until April 6 for facts reading.”

Meanwhile, a 27-year-old man of Matsitama village appeared before Magistrate Ishmael Molobe to face a single count of arson.

The state alleges that Moremi Motsumi burnt a house and property worth close to P12,000 that was inside the house on February 19. Motsumi pleaded not guilty to the charge.

Earlier, prosecutor Sesafeleng Dijeng from the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) told the Court that the state was not opposed to Motsumi being granted bail since the investigations in the matter were complete.

Dijeng proposed that the accused should be granted bail on condition that he signs his own recognisance of P1,000, brings two sureties who shall each bind themselves in the same amount and not interfere with state witnesses.

She added: “The accused shall attend court whenever he is told to do so and report to Masunga police station once every two weeks.”

Molobe granted Motsumi bail on conditions proposed by the prosecution.