FRANCISTOWN: Seven people arrested in a Kgomokhumo Operation appeared in court on Monday for a status update. The state alleges that Zimbabwean nationals, Nkosiyazi Meuni and Siphamandla Sibanda, and locals Gorata Jairos, director of Dynamic Butchery in Selepa, Tanaka Mantsee and Olerile Batlhatswi from Bluetown location, Kaone Phama of Area L, and Keoagile Modise Gregory of Jacklas No2 village, between June 13 and 14 acting jointly with a common purpose, stole two cows in Chadibe
The alleged stolen cattle belong to Agnes Samson. When all accused appeared in court on Monday for a status report, prosecutor Mothusi Meshack told the court that the state had not served the accused with some of the statements about exhibits that were sent to the forensic laboratory for analysis.
“We have, however, told our counterparts at the forensic laboratory to expedite their work so that we can serve the accused with the pending statements. We anticipate that we will serve the accused with the statements on Friday, this week,” Meshack said. The accused are due in court on June 30. The accused were arrested in a Kgomokhumo operation in Francistown, Chadibe, and Jacklas No2 after they were found in possession of suspected stock produce. The BPS says that part of the stolen produce, mainly hides, heads, and hooves was excavated at Shashe River in Chadibe. Meanwhile, Meuni and Sibanda have already been sentenced to three years in jail for entering Botswana illegally. Last Monday, Magetse granted the accused bail save for Meuni and Sibanda because they did not have documents authorising them to stay in Botswana legally and as such considered a flight risk. Magetse also made an order that the suspected stolen produce should be disposed of because it was not fit for human consumption.
