11 Jan 2015

Four alleged car racketeers arrested in two separate occasions while trying to cross the border at Kazungula ferry on January 7 to Zambia have been denied bail by Kasane magistrate court on January 9.

According to the court records, Nguluwe and Muyasani were found in possession of a Mercedes Benz C180, which was suspected and later confirmed to be stolen from South Africa.

In pleading for bail, both accused persons said that it was odd that they had been using the car all over South Africa and via various checkpoints yet were never questioned about it. 

They also complained of being denied access to phones to contact their families. In denying the two suspects bail, Kasane Magistrate Molema Molema said since all the accused persons were arrested on transit, not citizens of Botswana and did not have any permanent place of abode or business in Botswana, it would be prejudicial to the state if they were released on bail. 

He added that police investigations were also at an initial stage.

In the second case, Zisuza and Chishaka were also found in possession of a Land Rover Discovery vehicle, which was also confirmed to have been reported stolen in South Africa and reported to the South African Police Service (SAPS) on January 6. Pleading to be granted bail, Zisuza said he was just hired temporarily to drive the car as a piece job to earn extra money and had nothing to do with its theft.

He also pleaded with the magistrate to grant him bail as he is the breadwinner and has a two-year-old child. ENDS

However, the prosecution argued that releasing any of the accused on bail would prejudice the state as the accused are non-citizens, have neither business interests nor residence in Botswana or any motive to stay in Botswana, factors which may result in them disappearing for good.

Magistrate Molema noted that the accused can make another bail application in the next mention on January 22 if the circumstances have changed. ENDS