SEVEN Zimbabweans have been locked up in remand prison in Botswana pending trial for illegal mining.
According to media reports, the Zimbabweans were caught prospecting and mining gold illegally in Sechele and Kalakamati areas in Botswana.
They appeared before Masunga senior magistrate Segametsi Basinyi last week and pleaded guilty to the charge.
Media reports state that the investigating officer, Constable John Makhubu of Nlakhwane Police Post said the seven were arrested on September 13 near Isaac Hlabano’s farm.
“I was engaged in an operation together with the Botswana Defence Force when we encountered the accused. We were immediately suspicious that they were mining illegally,” Makhubu said.
The suspects confessed and showed remorse over their illegal activities, at the same time pleading for a fine instead of being jailed.
The accused persons said poverty drove them to commit the crime.
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