News / Regional
2 SA nationals in Zim court over helicopter saga
28 May 2014 at 06:47hrs | Views
TWO South African nationals who allegedly work for the pilot of a helicopter that crashed recently in Matabeleland South, Frikkie Lutzkie, appeared in court yesterday facing a charge of contravening the Immigration Act.
Lawrence Botha, 66 and Peter Marais, 43 appeared separately before Matabeleland South magistrate-in-charge Reuben Mukavhi.
Botha is alleged to have entered the country from South Africa between September 6, 2012 and May 17 this year on holiday and business purposes only, but ended up being employed as a manager at Doddieburn Ranch that is run by Lutzkie.
Marais is alleged to have entered the country between July 16, 2013 and May 17 this year for holiday, but ended up taking employment as a supervisor at the same ranch.
The two who both pleaded not guilty and applied for bail were represented by Bulawayo lawyers Kucaca Phulu and Joseph James.
Magistrate Mukavhi remanded them in custody and their bail ruling has been set for today.
The state, represented by Blessing Gundani, did not oppose the granting of bail, but sought the imposition of stringent conditions on the pair.
In his submission Gundani said Botha and Marais should each pay $1,000 bail, surrender their South African passports, reside at their Burnside home in Bulawayo and report to Hillside police station once every Friday between 6AM and 6PM until the matter is finalised.
The state also said the two should surrender their Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles while Botha had to surrender his five-cubic metre dump truck and trailer to the police.
However, defence lawyers said the two were in a difficult financial position and could only manage a maximum of $200.
The court heard that the South Africans were detained by police for six days before being brought to court, instead of the 24-hour period stipulated in the constitution. Their lawyers said they reserved the right to challenge the lawfulness of their detention.
Mukavhi remanded Botha and Marais in custody to today for a bail hearing.
Lawrence Botha, 66 and Peter Marais, 43 appeared separately before Matabeleland South magistrate-in-charge Reuben Mukavhi.
Botha is alleged to have entered the country from South Africa between September 6, 2012 and May 17 this year on holiday and business purposes only, but ended up being employed as a manager at Doddieburn Ranch that is run by Lutzkie.
Marais is alleged to have entered the country between July 16, 2013 and May 17 this year for holiday, but ended up taking employment as a supervisor at the same ranch.
The two who both pleaded not guilty and applied for bail were represented by Bulawayo lawyers Kucaca Phulu and Joseph James.
Magistrate Mukavhi remanded them in custody and their bail ruling has been set for today.
In his submission Gundani said Botha and Marais should each pay $1,000 bail, surrender their South African passports, reside at their Burnside home in Bulawayo and report to Hillside police station once every Friday between 6AM and 6PM until the matter is finalised.
The state also said the two should surrender their Toyota Land Cruiser vehicles while Botha had to surrender his five-cubic metre dump truck and trailer to the police.
However, defence lawyers said the two were in a difficult financial position and could only manage a maximum of $200.
The court heard that the South Africans were detained by police for six days before being brought to court, instead of the 24-hour period stipulated in the constitution. Their lawyers said they reserved the right to challenge the lawfulness of their detention.
Mukavhi remanded Botha and Marais in custody to today for a bail hearing.
Source - chronicle
