Kgosi Ganni Moses of Phase IV Customary Court in Francistown flogged Eight Zimbabwean men on their bare buttocks on Thursday afternoon for illegally entering Botswana.
Professor Phiri, Givemore Mpofu, Phiri Ayanda, Michael Sihumbe, Lovemore Moyo, Ndlovu Khumbulani, Ndlovu Muthandazo and Clever Chuma were arrested between the 5th, 6th and 7th of September were apprehended by the police and failed to produce the travelling documents.
They were arrested in different areas being Block 2, Block 8 and near Tachila farms by the cops on patrol.
After the charges were read to them, they all pleaded guilty to the charge.
Pleading for the court’s leniency, Phiri told court that he was the breadwinner so he came to Botswana to work so he can take care of his family.
“We are very poor in our family so I decided to come here so I can look for piece jobs,” said Ayanda.
The other six also pleaded with Kgosi Moses to tamper justice with mercy, adding that they have children to take care of.
Their sob stories may have moved Moses, who instead of a prison term ordered that they receive four strokes on their bare buttocks.
“Entering the country illegal is a serious offence that one can be taken to prison for years. However since the accused persons are first offenders they’ll be flogged,” said Moses.
