Zimbabwe man in Botswana found in illegal possession of Gold

A Zimbabwean illegal immigrant has been arrested in Botswana and charged with illegal possession of gold, the weekly Echo newspaper reported on Wednesday.

Emmanuel Mshonga, 48, who lives in Tlokweng village, was arrested on March 3 at White City in Gaborone, but could not state where he had got the metal.

The accused appeared in the Gaborone Magistrate's Court, charged with being in possession of gold in contravention of the Metals Act.

Mshonga told the court the police were delaying their investigations. He said he had been in custody for several days before he was formally charged.

According to Botswana laws, a detained suspect has to be charged after spending 48 hours in custody.

Botswana police Sub-inspector Sinah Boy said he was only given the case a day before the suspect was to appear before court.

He said the suspect should remain in custody, as he did not have proper travel documents and had entered the country illegally.

Boy said investigators had yet to conclude their investigation, paving the way for possible prosecution.

The court reserved plea for the accused and he would remain in custody.