Fake money 'gang of 11' busted
Friday, April 14, 2023 | 3230 Views |

The Francistown Magistrate’s Court PIC: MORERI SEJAKGOMO
The accused appeared in court yesterday (Tuesday) to face one count of counterfeiting currency. According to the charge sheet, the accused, Opelo Joko, 31, Kopo Aaron, 25, Tapenta Chitupu, 25, Olerato Mosweu, 21, Benedict Zikhale, 36, Nchidzi Machola, 19, Mpaphi Smarts, 22, Revay Masike, 23, Mompoloki Gobutsemang, 27, Goitseone Galane, 24, and Prince Rabanyana, 23, acting together with common intent unlawfully reproduced a P200 banknote of serial number AR 1672699 in multiples of 200 being a legal tender note issued by the Bank of Botswana (BoB).
A total of 2,882 notes were confiscated on April 7 at Gerald Estate, a total amount of P576,400. Pleas in the matter were reserved and Prosecutor Ditshotlo Mpale called investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Andrew Moeti to give reasons why the accused should be remanded in custody pending investigation. Moeti told Magistrate Game Mooketsi that the charge the accused are facing was of national interest.
Stock theft has become rampant and difficult to contain thus keeping the police on their toes as the country is rocked by stock theft cases that are becoming difficult to contain.This form of crime is causing great misery to farmers in Botswana, especially in rural communities that largely depend on agriculture for a living. As stock theft cases escalate, the police say that most of the meat consumed in major towns and villages is from stolen...