27 May 2014

A Zimbabwean national, John Machimbidzofa (34), on May 26 appeared before Molepolole Principal Magistrate Bhekimpilo Sibanda  for allegedly stealing Botswana Telecommunications Corporation (BTC) equipment amounting to P49 000.

The Self-employed Machimbidzofa ,who pleaded not guilty to the charge, told the court that he was only hired to transport the loot. He explained that he was instructed by his clients to wait in the bush at night where the police found him.

“While I was sleeping, waiting for them to finish loading the equipment on my car, the police arrived and two of them ran away leaving me in charge of everything.

Not one suspect escaped as the charge sheet indicates, but two of them,” he informed the court. The prosecutor, Sub Inspector Kemmonye Willie applied that the accused be further remanded in custody because he had failed to produce his passport. She added that the other accused person also a Zimbabwean was still on the run.

However, Machimbidzofa informed the court that his passport was at Molepolole prisons where he is currently remanded saying as accused person, he was not allowed to collect it.

He requested the court to order the prosecution to collect it on his behalf. Principal magistrate Sibanda ordered the prosecution to collect the accused’s passport and also extended his remand until June 13, when he will be appearing for mention.

The accused and another one allegedly stole one regulator static one huawey regulator valued P15 000 and four solar batteries valued P14 000 at Botlhapatlou. ENDS