adminSukulwenkosi Dube Plumtree Correspondent
A ZIMBABWEAN human trafficker was intercepted while attempting to smuggle 15 minor children and four adults into South Africa through Botswana.Lizwelethu Nleya was intercepted in Botswana’s Francistown and immediately deported back into the country together with the 15 minors, aged between three and 15.
Nleya, 39, was lucky to escape with a fine when Livard Philimon convicted him on his own plea of guilty yesterday. Nleya, who resides at Sanzukwi Village, was fined $100 or spend 30 days in prison if he fails to pay.
The court had heard how he helped the illegal immigrants cross the border by using an undesignated entry point in Mpoengs area in Mangwe District but was intercepted in Francistown.
Prosecuting, Paul Mpofu narrated how on December 11 this year, Nleya was intercepted by police in Botswana and was deported back to Zimbabwe.
“On 11 December at about 6pm, Nleya left Mangwe for South Africa in the company of 15 children and four adults who did not have travel documents. He dropped them off at the Mpoengs border to get through at an undesignated point.
“He later picked them up on the Botswana side of the border and drove towards Francistown en-route to South Africa. He was intercepted in Francistown, Botswana, leading to his arrest,” said Mpofu.
In mitigation Nleya confessed that he earned his living by illegally transporting people across the border.
“I live on assisting people to cross to Botswana and South Africa illegally. I usually assist children who do not have travel documents to get through and I have been making good money from it. I now have regular customers,” he said.
Online Reporter