Zimbabwean denied bail in Botswana

A Zimbabwean illegal immigrant in Botswana accused of brutally assaulting a Motswana and argued in court that delays in his trial have prolonged his incarceration unnecessarily has been denied bail.

Martin Sibanda, (26) and his co-accused, Calvin Ncube, 25, plus another who is still at large are said to have brutally beaten Kutlwano Keinametse of Makoro village and left her for dead with a fracture to her head among other serious injuries.

Imploring the court to keep Sibanda securely locked behind bars until the case is finished, the prosecutor, Ditsapelo Emmanuel said that although Keinametse was discharged from hospital, the department of prosecution was still waiting for her medical report so they could amend the charge appropriately to a more serious and appropriate charge of causing grievous bodily harm.

They would further prepare summery of the case and submit statement by August the 10th when case management is set to be held.

Magistrate Setlhogile Motsamai Who was holding fort for Magistrate Gofaone Mosweu extended Sibanda's remand.

In an earlier hearing before Magistrate Mosweu, Sibanda had demanded to be set free because his alleged partners in crime were still at large.

"I want to know how long I'm going to be in jail. Those guys are out there enjoying their freedom and they don't have papers too, but I'm languishing in jail. Besides, I'm only an accomplice in this matter. Those two guys are the ones who committed the crime," he had argued.

Denying the foreign man's bail application Magistrate Motsamai said: "Make peace with staying in jail if you have no papers because no citizen surety will sign for your bail."

The next hearing has been scheduled for August 18 August.