Three men, Zimbabwean duo Hloniphani Ndlovu, 30, Khulekani Ncube, 31 and Monarch native Tshepiso Bugalo were arrested last Wednesday in possession of shiny stones suspected to be diamonds.
Speaking in an interview, Diamonds and Minerals Protection Unit Northern Division, Superintendent Ookeditse Moseki said the trio was nabbed at Galo Mall in the afternoon following a tip off.
“Our police officers attended the scene and found the three men in their car with 70 pieces of stones suspected to be diamonds.
“Apparently they were offering the ‘diamonds’ for sale. They were immediately arrested and the Motswana suspect was also found in possession of what we suspect to be dagga,” revealed Moseki.
The suspected diamonds are waiting to be taken to the geoscience lab for verification.
“We have a problem with the machines at the geosciences laboratories so we are waiting for them to be repaired,” he explained.
The top cop also noted the diamond black market business seems to be growing because since the beginning of the year police have recorded five cases already.
“We do not know whether people are forced into such crimes by the Covid-19 situation or what,” he said
The trio was arraigned before Francistown Magistrate Court on Monday and remanded in custody.
The two foreigners were also charged with unlawful residence in Botswana while Bugalo was charged with unlawful wounding for allegedly stabbing two police officers with a sharp instrument in an attempt to escape from custody.
“The two police officers were stabbed on their hands but not badly injured. They were each given three days sick leave,” Moseki explained.
Batho ba ba tlwaela lehatshe la rona thata waitse,they shud be punished 4 this