FRANCISTOWN: Two men from Zimbabwe have each pleaded guilty to illegal gold mining and entering Botswana through an ungazetted point of entry.
The state alleges that Bhekimpilo Tau, 36, and Thembani Nkomo, 41, were unlawfully found mining gold at the disused Rainbow Gold Mine on May 4, 2023. The accused are due in court for facts reading on August 3.
Meanwhile, a plea for another unspecified charge in respect of both the accused has been reserved because the police are yet to take its file to the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP).
Magistrate Thapelo Buang presided over the matter while Thabiso Leinane represented the state.
The increasing cases of illegal gold mining around the Matsiloje area are a cause for concern. The issue recently cropped up during the handing over of the Matopi cluster electric fence.
