An illegal immigrant, Elvis Chikore who has been in custody since October last year after he was arrested alongside his co-accused were caught with two cattle carcases suspected to have been stolen has since pleaded for earlier trial date than the set November this year.
Chikore (34), a Zimbabwean national and his co-accused Monga Seboko (42) and Thabo Lethata (24) are said to have on the 24th October 2022 found with two cow carcasses in Botshabelo which they allegedly failed to provide proof of ownership.
The first accused person, Chikore was also charged for entering Botswana illegally through an un-gazetted area in 2004. He is said to have been illegally residing in Botswana since then. Chiroke’s co-accused are currently out on bail while he remains in custody as the prosecution fears that he might skip the country and abscond trial.
The trio pleaded not guilty to the charge and trial was subsequently set for November 20th 2023.
Appearing before Maun Magistrate Keneilwe Kgoadi this week, Chikore pleaded for the court to set nearer trial dates arguing that he has been in custody for a long time. Chikore further argued that should he win the case he would have lost his properties and right to liberty a result of the period he has stayed in custody.
In his previous mention Chikore told court that his plea of not guilty is based on the fact that the carcases were from two cows which he claims he bought from Lethata (third accused person).
He indicated that during trial he will present two witnesses who will give proof that he actually bought the cattle which he later slaughtered. He added that the witnesses will also give evidence of where the remains of the slaughtered cows were.
In response, Kgoadi informed the accused person that there are no trial dates available however she informed him that there will be another magistrate who will take over that matter.
“There is another magistrate coming, you will try to negotiate on the matter maybe you will get a nearer date,” Kgoadi advised.
