News / Africa
Botswana authorities struggles to establish true identity of Ex Zim soldier
25 Jan 2016 at 05:47hrs | Views
Botswana court authorities are struggling to establish;ish the true identity of a Zimbabwean man who was arrested for illegal possession of fire arm.
Mmegi reported that the man in court for illegal possession of arms and ammunition of war, Michael Graduate Mutizwa, has decried delays in prosecuting his case.
When appearing in court yesterday, Mutizwa expressed disappointment at the slow pace of the proceedings, as he believes he is incarcerated for nothing.
"It has been three months now since I have been behind bars and there is no progress," he said. "I want to get done with this matter and continue with my life." Mutizwa told the court that following an order granted in his favour to collect some documents he wanted to use in court, he was taken to his house. At the house he found papers scattered all over his house with the documents he wanted to fetch missing.
The magistrate, Nthabiseng Tladi, however told Mutizwa that the process could not be swift as the prosecution was yet to complete investigations. She said trial dates would be set as soon as investigations are complete.
The prosecution had pleaded with the court to extend Mutizwa's stay behind bars, as investigations are still ongoing. Investigators were also trying to establish Mutizwa's true identity.
In a previous court appearance, it was revealed that Mutizwa might not be a
former air lieutenant with the Zimbabwean army, as originally thought. In fact, a Zimbabwean Interpol report ensured that he was denied bail, as the neighbouring country has no record of him. Interpol established that the name appearing on the accused's passport, Michael Graduate Mutizwa, was not in the Zimbabwean name database.
The investigating officer in the matter, detective superintendent Sergeant Marapo, said during one of the accused's previous court appearances, there was another Graduate Mutizwa whose fingerprints did not match those submitted to Interpol.
Prosecutors say the accused was caught with the weapons and in possession of Botswana Defence Force trousers and sticks of honour, which he was not entitled to. The court also learnt that Mutizwa was arrested with seven walkie-talkies, 12 walkie-talkie chargers, three walkie-talkie batteries, five handcuffs, one baton and two sticks of honour. He was also found in possession of a ceremonial uniform suspected to be that of the Zimbabwe National Army, shorthand notebook with written notes for safety precautions and handling of a 9mm pistol in his possession.
Mmegi reported that the man in court for illegal possession of arms and ammunition of war, Michael Graduate Mutizwa, has decried delays in prosecuting his case.
When appearing in court yesterday, Mutizwa expressed disappointment at the slow pace of the proceedings, as he believes he is incarcerated for nothing.
"It has been three months now since I have been behind bars and there is no progress," he said. "I want to get done with this matter and continue with my life." Mutizwa told the court that following an order granted in his favour to collect some documents he wanted to use in court, he was taken to his house. At the house he found papers scattered all over his house with the documents he wanted to fetch missing.
The magistrate, Nthabiseng Tladi, however told Mutizwa that the process could not be swift as the prosecution was yet to complete investigations. She said trial dates would be set as soon as investigations are complete.
In a previous court appearance, it was revealed that Mutizwa might not be a
former air lieutenant with the Zimbabwean army, as originally thought. In fact, a Zimbabwean Interpol report ensured that he was denied bail, as the neighbouring country has no record of him. Interpol established that the name appearing on the accused's passport, Michael Graduate Mutizwa, was not in the Zimbabwean name database.
The investigating officer in the matter, detective superintendent Sergeant Marapo, said during one of the accused's previous court appearances, there was another Graduate Mutizwa whose fingerprints did not match those submitted to Interpol.
Prosecutors say the accused was caught with the weapons and in possession of Botswana Defence Force trousers and sticks of honour, which he was not entitled to. The court also learnt that Mutizwa was arrested with seven walkie-talkies, 12 walkie-talkie chargers, three walkie-talkie batteries, five handcuffs, one baton and two sticks of honour. He was also found in possession of a ceremonial uniform suspected to be that of the Zimbabwe National Army, shorthand notebook with written notes for safety precautions and handling of a 9mm pistol in his possession.
Source - Byo24News
