Zimbabwean man in Botswana court for murder

Gaborone - A Zimbabwean national has appeared in the Francistown Magistrate's Court on charges of murder, robbery, and entering Botswana illegally, the state-owned Daily Newspaper reported on Tuesday.

According to the charge sheet, Bruce Masuku allegedly shot dead Julia Ookeditse following a misunderstanding while they were in the same car.

Masuku is also charged with stealing an Isuzu van driven by one Maruma Bahiti. Both crimes were committed on 31 January this year.

Masuku allegedly entered the country illegally through an gazetted area on a date not known by police.

On Monday, prosecutor Thapelo Mafishane told the court the investigating officer had told him they had not yet arrested other people also wanted in connection with the case.

The investigating team was awaiting the outcome of Ookeditses's post mortem, which was conducted on Friday.

Masuku asked the court to bring the investigating officer to testify as to why he had linked Masuku to the crime.

Masuku told the court he did not know the people the police said they were looking for.

Masuku said he was arrested because he was an illegal immigrant.

The matter was postponed to 6 March. Masuku would remain in police custody.