adminYesterday the three Batswana appeared before Bulawayo provincial magistrate Mr Shepherd Mjanja and the State led by Mr Admire Chikwayi made an application for their extradition to Botswana.
In his application in terms of Section 6 (1) of the Extradition Act, Chapter 5:08, Mr Chikwayi told the court that that the trio committed robbery and theft of motor vehicle crimes in Botswana and two of the motor vehicles were recovered from Sikhumbuzo Dube in Zimbabwe.
He submitted that the courts in Botswana, particularly in Masunga town, had the jurisdiction to try the trio since the alleged offences were committed and completed there.
He said the Masunga magistrates’ courts were competent to try the trio and prayed that the court makes an order that the two vehicles that were recovered in Zimbabwe be taken back to Botswana so that they could be used as exhibits during the trial.
He produced a warrant of apprehension issued by a director of prosecution in Masunga town on 1 May.
According to an affidavit sworn to by Superintendent Chilise Chakalisa, a District Crime Intelligence Officer in the Botswana Police Service which was produced as an exhibit in the application, warrants of arrest for the trio were issued on 16 May by the senior magistrate at Masunga magistrates’ courts.
It is his evidence that the maximum sentence for the offences faced by the trio when convicted is 25 years with labour.
Mr Mjanja ruled that a prima facie case against the trio had been established and noted that two of the motor vehicles, which are the subject of the offence, were yet to be recovered.
He granted the extradition order and made an order that the two vehicles that have been recovered be handed over to the Botswana Police Service.
Blessed Manisa (37) of 118 White City, Thato Marope (31) of 11096 Block 7 and Ontlametse Monageng (30) of 7148 Blue Town, all in Francistown, will remain in custody until they are extradited.
They were not formally charged.
Allegations against them are that on 1 May this year, between 8 pm and 9 pm, the trio and three others who are still at large, went to Tati Land Board Offices in Masunga town.
It is alleged that Manisa produced a pistol and allegedly threatened a security guard who was guarding the premises before tying him up with a piece of wire.
Manias, Marope and Monageng allegedly took vehicle keys, which were kept in the guardroom and went on to allegedly steal two Toyota Hilux, a Toyota Landcruiser and a Toyota Fortuner.
After allegedly stealing the vehicles they crossed into Zimbabwe through an undesignated crossing point intending to sell the vehicles in Zimbabwe.
They allegedly gave a Toyota Hilux and a Toyota Landcruiser to Dube to sell on their behalf and the vehicles were recovered after their arrest. The total value of the four motor vehicles is $130 100 and those valued at $66 000 were recovered.
In an unrelated case, man from Chivi District in Masvingo Province appeared before a Plumtree magistrate yesterday facing charges of stealing a motor vehicle in Botswana, resisting a peace officer and driving without a valid driver’s licence.
Chirairo Chiza (36) was not formally charged when he appeared before Mr Stephen Mavhuna and was remanded in custody to 30 May.
The prosecutor, Mr Paul Munyaradzi Mpofu, told the court that on 10 May this year, at about 1 am, Chiza allegedly teamed up with Hlanganani Ndlovu and Sonboy Nkululeko, who are still at large, approached security guards who were manning a Botswana Power Company depot in Masunga.
They allegedly forced open a guardroom door where the security guards were and upon entry the trio, which was allegedly armed with knobkerries, iron rods, stones and wires, allegedly attacked the security guards demanding money.
They allegedly searched the security guards and took a cellphone from one of them and allegedly tied their hands and legs with pieces of wire.
One remained guarding the security guards while the other two went to the main office where they allegedly broke and opened the door.
They saw the main gate keys and thereafter allegedly stole an Isuzu RTF seven tonne truck before allegedly force-marching the security guards and locking them up in an office and drove away with the truck valued at 285 470 Pula.
Chiza left Botswana and allegedly used an undesignated point to cross into Zimbabwe.
On the same day at about 2.30 pm, the truck was intercepted by the Zimbabwe Republic Police at a road block along the Bulawayo-Solusi Road.
When he realised that he was in trouble, Chiza jumped out of the vehicle and started running into the bush.
Constables Banga, Mapope and Ndlovu gave chase and when they caught up with him, the State will seek to prove that he bit Const Banga on the right hand, head-butted Const Mapope in the stomach and hit Ndlovu in the mouth.
The policemen subdued and arrested him and when asked to produce his driver’s licence he failed to do so.
Chiza is claiming that he bought the truck from Ndlovu and Nkululeko.
Online Reporter