Three Zim men arraigned for multiple offences

Each faces two counts of rape

Three Zimbabwean men were arraigned before Magistrate Game Mooketsi for multiple offences amongst them rape and robbery.

According to the charge sheet Desmond Khupe, 19, Lucky Dube, 23, and Calvin Maphosa, 43, all illegal immigrants, were each charged with entering Botswana through ungazetted points of entry, robbery and two counts of rape. It is alleged that the trio together with five other persons not before the court, on or about March 28 at or near

Chadibe acting together and with a common purpose, unlawfully had carnal knowledge of two women whose names cannot be revealed for ethical reasons.

In addition, it is alleged that Khupe, Dube and Maphosa, on March 28, used violence to obtain P350 cash, property worth P13,720, and clothes and different mobile phone brands worth P11,100 from their victims.

The state alleges that the accused persons used catapults, knives and a machete to threaten their victims during the commission of their offences.

When the three men appeared in court, prosecutor Janet Mothowakgosi said an application for the pleas of the accused persons be reserved as the Investigating Officer was not available. She added that investigations were still at an initial stage. Pleading for his freedom, Khupe asked for a test to be done on the rape victims, adding that he would like to see them as he does not recall anything. Dube said he was in Zimbabwe on the day he is said to have committed the offences and only arrived in Botswana on March 30.

Maphosa also said that he does not know the first accused person and he only arrived on Wednesday with Dube. He told the court that he has evidence on his phone that he only came here for a meeting. Magistrate Mooketsi recused herself from the matter indicating that she knew some of the complainants in the matter. She said the matter will be before another Magistrate for bail hearing on April 19.