Ten Ethiopians who were arrested a fortnight ago in Tonota, and pleaded guilty to the charge of entering the country illegally have pleaded with the Francistown Magistrate Court to allow for their release and return to their homeland.
During a brief court appearance on Monday, the men pleaded guilty to entering Botswana illegally.
According to court papers, the Ethiopian nationals allegedly crossed illegally into Botswana, from neighbouring Zimbabwe, with the assistance of two Batswana and three Zimbabwean men.
The visibly distressed Ethiopians, told Principal Magistrate Kabelo Magetse that they wanted to go back home, rather than remain castrated in prison.
“Gentlemen I advise you to see a psychologist so you can get counselling. I understand Botswana is a different environment from what you were used to. The culture, climate and diet are all totally different from what you are accustomed to. But hang in there, until your matter is resolved by the Magistrate concerned,” advised Magistrate Magetse. He further advised the accused to get medical attention if they are not well or fall sick while in prison.
During their first appearance before Francistown Chief Magistrate, the accused claimed they did not know they were in Botswana illegally, neither were told to bring with them travel documents or passports.
“We were being smuggled to South Africa by these men. And they never told us to bring any passports”, said Mohammed Fayissa who is a teacher back in Ethiopia. And more conversant in English.
According to accused persons, they were smuggled from the Zimbabwe side and were in transit to South Africa. Court documents reveal the 10 men were being aided by Saviana Gaerope (31) from Coloured, Francistown, Kagiso Madia (25) from Jackalas 1 and three Zimbabwean known as Dumisani Ncube, Lloyd Chikwana and William Shoniwa aged 42, 30 and 40 years respectively.
The five male aiders and the Ethiopians were arrested while on their way to handed them over to a transporter who would take the 10 men to South Africa. The smugglers were using a commuter omnibus belonging to Gaerope and Madia.
Gaerope, Madia, Ncube, Chikwana and Shoniwa who pleaded guilty for aiding and abetting illegals, were sentenced to two years in prison.
Meanwhile, the 10 men from the Horn of Africa, are expected back in court next week Monday.
This batch of 10 men is the second group to be intercepted and detained in Botswana in two years. In August 2023, a cross border haulage truck from Zambia heading to South Africa was found with 40 Ethiopians when it was stopped and searched by police at Ngwasha Veterinary Gate.
