According to the charge sheet, the accused, Othusitse Ncube, allegedly trafficked a minor, also from Zimbabwe, on April 10, in Matsiloje contrary to Section 12 A (1) of the Anti-Human Trafficking Act No 13 of 2018 (Cap 08:09).
Act 13, 2018 puts into effect the United Nations’ Protocol to prevent, suppress, and punish trafficking in persons; to provide for the prohibition, prevention, and combating of human trafficking, to provide for measures to protect and assist victims of trafficking in persons, and other related matters. Ncube, who's based in Soweto in South Africa (SA), allegedly got nabbed by the police at the Matsiloje veterinary checkpoint.
The youngster is now in the care of social welfare officers. When Ncube appeared in court, prosecutor Kelly Lekobe proposed that he should be remanded in custody because he was a flight risk since he did not have a permanent place of abode in Botswana. “This case is still fresh and it involves a minor child. “There is also a possibility of charging another person with this offence,” said Lekobe. When asked if he had anything to say, Ncube applied for bail.
Ncube added that had he known that this would lead to a criminal offence, he would not have accepted to carry out the task.
“I gave the police all the information that they needed from me," Ncube said. "I also gave the police the phone number of the minor’s mother and she physically came to the police station to plead my innocence in this matter. I therefore pray with the court to grant me bail because I also have my passport that is currently in the custody of the police.” Ntuli then remanded Ncube in jail because he had no permanent place of residence in Botswana. He is due in court on April 18.
