Diamond dealers denied bail

The trio, Moagi Dodile, Victor Kambela and Goitseone Dodile, were found guilty of possessing rough or uncut diamonds worth P6,500 in 2015 at a Francistown filling station without permission. Chief Magistrate Gaedupe Makgatho slapped the trio with a five-year sentence each for the offence after they all pleaded guilty.  They were set to serve the sentences in full as Makgatho found no extenuating circumstances.

The trio appealed their conviction and this week pleaded with Nyamadzabo to free them on bail pending the appeal.  The applicants said they were not advised of their rights to engage attorneys and had actually not been found in possession of the precious stones.