28 Jan 2014

Two of the six accused persons in a case in which cables and other electrical goods valued at over P400 000 were stolen from the new Francistown Stadium have pleaded guilty to the charge.

In their brief appearance before Francistown Principal Magistrate Jennifer Chikate on January 27, Nxobizitha Ncube (23) and Bhekinkosi Ncube (27) each faced vandalism and theft of goods valued at P14 869.60 and P7 434.80 respectively.

State counsel, Mr Mothusi Dintwa said out of the stolen goods, only 90kg of copper wire, which had its insulation removed, was recovered from the duo.

Mr Dintwa told the court that 50kg of the wire was recovered from Ncube (Nxobizitha) while 40kg was recovered from Ncube (Bhenkinkosi).

He further told the court that the estimated price of the cable then was P20 per kg. The recovered copper wire was brought to court as exhibit. Mr Dintwa applied for another mention date to be set to allow the prosecution to take finger prints of the two accused persons.

He said the new date would also give time to the complainant (Botswana government) in the matter to appear as government had indicated that it wanted to be refunded for the stolen goods.

Principal Magistrate Chikate set the mention date to February 6 and she explained that the two accused persons would be separated from the charge of the other four accused persons.

She further advised the duo to come prepared with their mitigation in the next mention date. Last week, one of the accused persons, Petrus Moyo aged 26 said he was not with the other five accused when they committed the offence. Therefore, he wanted the court to explain why he was arrested and remanded in custody.

However, the state counsel, Mr Dintwa said Moyo is connected to some issues that will be addressed during trial and only evidence from the eight witnesses that prosecution intends to call will show why he is appearing with the other five. He also applied to the court that since Moyo does not have a passport, he should be remanded in custody.

Other accused persons in the matter are Mmusi Kelapile (28), Mothusi Lesole (38) and Fetogang Mathunya (31) who are all on bail.  Trial dates for this matter have been set for November 3 and 4 and Principal Magistrate, Thebeetsile Mulalu will preside over the other matter.  The vandalism and theft at the new stadium is said to have taken place between July and September last year. Ends