Moswaane, 20 others granted bail
Spent night in cells for ‘illegal ● gathering’
FRANCISTOWN: Member of Parliament (MP) for Francistown West, Ignatius Moswaane and 20 other people were granted bail yesterday by Justice Lot Moroka.
Moswaane and his co-accused were arrested by the police on Friday for allegedly illegally assembling along the Selous Avenue without having sought permission to do so.
The prosecution says the MP and his co-accused disturbed the flow of traffic along the busy road.
Moswaane, who was represented by attorney Aobakwe Monamo, and his co-accused were granted bail on condition that they appear in court as and when required to do so and not interfere with State witnesses.
According to the prosecution, there is a possibility that the accused may be charged with common nuisance.
State attorney, Moffat Dick, said the date of status hearing in the matter has not been set because investigations in the matter are still continuing.
On Friday Moswaane and some of the City of Francistwon Council (COSC) nominated councillors, Gilbert Boikhutso and Otsile Moses participated in a demonstration along the Haskins Street, also known as the Bulawayo Street.
Some of the local transport operators, street traders, and members of the Central Flea Market associations joined the local leaders in their demonstration across the street against Zimbabweans who they allege are taking away their economic chances. Using a vehicle and a minibus, the petitioners blocked a section of the Francistown-Ramokgwebana border road.
Before being arrested by the police, Moswaane addressed the petitioners and vowed that he would not allow Zimbabweans to take over business that should belong to Batswana. He stated that certain police officers were in collusion with Zimbabweans who carry passengers and their belongings across the border. Moswaane added that the corrupt officials are the reason why Zimbabweans continue to roam around as street sellers and truck drivers to delivery products at the border.
“I’m going to stand up for the rights of our people,” he shouted.
“I am being arrested because of the corrupt officers who are making deals with the same foreigners,” he said as he was led to a police van.
“Gone jaana o ntshwarela mapodise; mapodise ke bone ba ba jang le bone batswakwa,” he added.
According to nominated councillor Boikhutso, the residents have been grumbling about the Zimbabweans who have seized their commercial prospects.
Some Zimbabweans transport products from the Bulawayo Street to the Zimbabwean border using their trucks. He continued: “Batswana are capable of perform the same task utilising the same mode of transportation”.
According to Boikhutso, Zimbabweans have taken over the Bulawayo Street and they own some of the vehicles that are used as vending machines. He added that Batswana are demonstrating against Zimbabweans occupying parts of their territory and running their businesses.
“Some of them are operating their businesses at a loss because of the Zimbabweans,” he continued.
He stated that a petition had been signed by small business owners from the taxi, mini bus associations, and vendors allowing them to peacefully protest against the Zimbabweans.
In the words of Boikhutso, the same petitioners had previously voiced their concerns to the District Commissioner and other pertinent parties, but their efforts were to no avail.
The chairperson of the central flea market, Keeme Tshepo, said they were protesting against the COFC because they intended to evacuate them without providing them with an alternative location.
He explained that they are taking part in the demonstration because the COFC approached the High Court over the issue, and they asked them to try to settle it out of court, but they turned them down.
On December 14, 2023, the Francistown High Court is expected to render a definitive decision regarding the city’s central market vendors.
The COFC has already evicted more than half of the vendors who have persistently refused to vacate the city’s central market site.