According to the charge sheet read in court, on counts one and two respectively, Khupe and Donga on or about December 10, 2024 at or near Ramokgwebana border in the North-East administrative district, unlawfully entered the Republic of Botswana through an ungazetted point of entry and remained therein. Furthermore, on count three of smuggling of persons, the accused persons, Moyo and Khupe, acting together, on orabout December 10 of 2024 at or near Maitengwe border in the North East administration district, smuggled one minor child aged around seven years who is a Zimbabwean national with no travelling documfnts into Botswana using a motor vehicle registered KN8LNGP and they did so in order to obtain financial benefit from his parent.
On count four, Moyo and Donga, acting together around the same day, smuggled five minor children, who were Zimbabwean nationals and without travel documents, in or around Maitengwe. The children were aged 16, 11, 13, 6, and three-years-old. Khupe begged the court to be merciful and lenient during the mitigation hearing. "I didn't do it on purpose, but life's challenges forced me to. I'm pleading for your forgiveness. Among my children is my sister's daughter, whom I am currently caring for. No one is going to look after her while I'm away. She was supposed to go for her Form 1,”he said. Additionally, Donga also requested the court to show mercy and to forgive him for his actions.
