Zimbo found guilty of motor vehicle theft in Botswana

 A 68-year-old Zimbabwean national, whom the court could not establish his permanent abode in Botswana, has been found guilty of stealing a Toyota truck worth P105 000.

Musa Nkanindlovu is expected to appear in court on January 19 for mitigation and sentence after principal Magistrate Dumisani Basupi ruled that he was satisfied that the prosecution has proved its case against the accused beyond reasonable doubt.

Nkanindlovu committed the offence on August 9 last year and had previously pleaded not guilty to the offence. He stole the car belonging to Minetek Company.

"The managing director of Minetek Company reported the car stolen after he found it missing from the company's premises at the Light Industrial area. He later learnt that it was found in the possession of the accused by police at Masunga after they arrested him at Mapoka in the north east District," said Basupi.

Basupi also stated that the managing director of Minetek did not permit anyone to drive the vehicle in question because it was still being repaired at the time. The Magistrate added that the second prosecution witness, Edwin Mkandawira, a mechanic at Minetek, also corroborated the managing director's version.

Mkandawira, Basupi said, was still working on the car when it was stolen.

"Mkandawira's assertion was also corroborated by the arresting officer and investigating officer. In his defence the accused said he was permitted to drive the vehicle by Mkandawira who told him not to bring the vehicle late," noted Basupi.

The magistrate said that there was no dispute that the vehicle was found in Nkanidlovu's possession and the accused had no documents to prove that he was given permission to drive the car by Mkandawira.

Mkandawira also denied ever meeting the accused anytime in his life.The arresting officer also denied having found the accused in possession of the car's blue book when arresting the accused, said Basupi.

"This version is also denied by the Minetek's managing director and the investigating officer. In fact, the managing director said the car's blue book was at his company's premises and in the premises I have no doubt that the blue book was at the company's premises.

"The accused is trying to shift the blame to Mkandawira. In court it is one man for himself but God for us all. I accordingly find the accused guilty of the offence as charged," said Basupi.

After the judgement, prosecutor Mbatshi Mafa applied for the accused to be fingerprinted to check if he has previous offences or not. hat people were so relaxed during the festive period, and their main concentration was on the football tournaments and choirs.

Enock said his office did not record any serious crimes on Christmas Day and on the New Year's Day, and he saluted the well-behaved public.

He said the village councillor, Salome Lesole also did public awareness as she approached Tswapong South youth and educated them on good behaviour during the festive season.

The police chief said even on Sunday when the final match was played between Dinare FC and Maunatlala United everything went smoothly and no incidents of crime were reported.

"We wish they (Botswana) can behave like that even in the coming holidays. They made our work easier as the police and we are grateful for that," he said.