Kasane Magistrate Thabang Chokwe has this week granted bail to two South African men, Hosia Pitso and James Msibe who were found in possession of suspected stolen vehicles at Duncan Plaza Mall in Kazungula last month.
Chokwe ordered the 62-year-old Pitso, from Diepkloof Soweto in Johannesburg to pay an amount of P25 000 and bring one surety at P5 000 as bail condition. He also ordered t Msibe from Mofolo in Johannesburg to pay an amount of P30 000 and avail one surety who shall bind himself with a sum of P 5000.
Msibe was found in possession of a White Ford Ranger bearing registration number JX 13 GB GP, Chassis number AFAPXXMJ2PLT54331, and engine number YMP2LPLT54331 valued at around R 850 000 that is suspected to have been stolen outside Botswana.
While Pitso is reported to have been found in possession of a White Toyota Fortuner bearing registration number KXS 638 MP, Chassis number AHJA3GS600228744, and engine number IGD0356732, valued at around R 650 000, also suspected to have been obtained unlawfully outside Botswana.
Public Prosecutor Sub Inspector Tobokani Muzila had during their initial appearance successfully pleaded with the court to deny the duo bail, and instead remand them in custody for a further period of 14 days to allow the police to complete their investigations and also because the matter is still fresh.
Kasane Magistrate Thabang Chokwe then remanded them in custody to allow the police to do their investigations and to allow the court to find a Zulu interpreter for the first accused person Msibe.
Officer Commanding District No.7 Senior Superintendent Meshack Pulenyane had previously stated that the duo was found with the vehicles at around 1320 hours of that day on their way to Lusaka, Zambia. He stated that Kazungula police liaised with South African police who confirmed that the vehicles were stolen. According to him, police were doing their routine stop and search surveillance when they nabbed the duo.
