FRANCISTOWN: A 36-year-old Zimbabwean woman who is charged with uttering a false residence permit Tuesday prematurely pleaded guilty to the offence.
The accused, Lindiwe Ncube, allegedly uttered the false resident permit to an official of the Department of Civil and National Registration in the Ministry of Nationality, Immigration and Gender Affairs on January 13 at Ntshe House in Francistown.
When Ncube appeared before Senior Magistrate Tshepo Magetse, the prosecution told the court that they were still on the lookout for Ncube’s accomplice who allegedly helped her to forge the residence permit.
Magetse then told the prosecution that Ncube had just told the court that she wanted to plead guilty to the offence and what was the position of the prosecution regarding Ncube’s plea.
In response, prosecutor Chadza Jane told the court that they were still tying up loose ends in the matter.
The magistrate also suggested that the prosecution may apply for Ncube and her 'accomplice' who is still at large to be tried separately.
Asked if she had anything to say, Ncube pleaded with the court to expedite her case because she has two minor children whom she had entrusted her neighbour to take care of while she is battling her legal brushes.
“When I was arrested, I was trying to find a school where my 13-year-old daughter will enroll. Following my arrest, I left my children in the custody of my neighbour (Dorcas Mosweu) but right now I don’t know how they are surviving. I don’t want to burden my friend with the upkeep of my children for a very long time,” a teary Ncube told the court.
Fortunately for Ncube, Mosweu was in court and she consented before court that she will take care of Ncube’s children while she is in custody. Ncube was further remanded in custody and is due in court on March 21.
