11 Apr 2018

 A Zimbabwean man who is charged together with a Motswana man, Ernest Legwale for the 2015 murder of Ms Thato Meswele in Oodi was Tuesday brought before Gaborone Broadhurst Magistrate’s Court to answer a charge of illegal entry into the country.

Appearing before magistrate Tshepo Thedi, Hamadi Nkhuha of Plot 1616 Mmopane Block 1, pleaded not guilty to the charge and told the court that he would seek legal representative to assist him in the case.  

Nkhuha further told the court that he was surprised that he had been brought to a different court while the issue of him being an illegal immigrant was raised before chief magistrate, Ms Faith Dlamini-N’gandu where he was answering for a murder charge.

He said it would be cumbersome for him to move from one courtroom to another and therefore prayed that his present charge be consolidated with the murder charge and appear before a single magistrate.

Reacting to the accused comments, magistrate Thedi asked the prosecutor Inspector Oamogetswe Gaboutlwelwe of Broadhurst Police Station whether it was possible to consolidate the charges as prayed.

She replied that she would consult with both the investigating officer, Detective Senior Superintendent Sergeant Marapo and the prosecutor, Inspector Kedumetse Shamukuni in the murder case.

In the meantime, Inspector Gaboutlwelwe informed the court that Nkhuha was an illegal immigrant though he had a valid passport. She explained that the passport did not show any entry into Botswana, therefore rendering the accused an illegal immigrant as he did not have days specified for his stay in Botswana.

She asked the court to remand him though he was still under remand from the murder charge. He will appear for mention on April 24, 2018,.

In the murder case, he is to appear together with co-accused Legwale for mention on April 26, 2018 before magistrate Dlamini-N’gandu. Ends