Source: 12 in court for human trafficking – The Southern Eye
TWELVE Zimbabweans yesterday appeared before a Botswana court facing a charge of human trafficking after they were found in custody of scores of children enroute to South Africa.
Khanya Ngwenya, Wandisile Nkomo, Lord Sibanda, Nthabiseni Ncube, German Chuma, Desire Ncube, Zidle Majikejela, Christopher Dube, Vivian Masendu, Dorcus Ndebele, Alton Ngwenya and Headman Ndlovu were arrested by the police on April 6 near Orapa Junction with their vehicle packed with children of different ages.
It is reported that the accused confessed that they were taking the children to South Africa.
During the trial, Ngwenya, who was the owner of the vehicle, pleaded with the court to free 11 others saying he was the one responsible for the crime.
“I am the one responsible for this. These people know nothing about the children as I am the one who took them from Zimbabwe and was transporting them. I pray that this court frees others,” Ngwenya said.
However, it emerged that the 11 had no travelling documents before being slapped with a charge of illegal entry into Botswana.
Prosecutor Moatlhodi Macheng said the 12 were on transit hence do not have a permanent place of abode in Botswana.
“So we plead that they be remanded in custody. The investigations also have just commenced, if the accused persons wish to apply for bail may it be in two weeks,” Macheng told the court.
Macheng said they are still to establish the identity of the children’s parents.
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