Extension II Chief Magistrate, Queen Moanga, has set the 2nd and 3rd November as trial dates for two men who are facing charges of unlawful possession of dagga.
Kgari Cosmos Maretele, 49, of Goo-Moeng ward in Ramotswa and Justice Rantsheno, 54, of Sebina ward in Serowe, were arrested on the 10th of June last year at the Ramotswa border post in possession of dagga weighing 50.08kg.
It is alleged that upon arrest, the duo had in their possession six bags full of dagga in a Honda CRV that they were driving.
They were arrested after crossing the border into Botswana from South Africa.
The accused persons who are both out on bail pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Initially trial was scheduled to start on the 16th of July but defence attorney, Nelson Ramaotwana, pleaded with court to postpone it saying he had not had enough time to consult with his clients to prepare for trial.
He said the suggested dates were not convenient for him as he had another case before Justice Sechele at Francistown High Court.
Ramaotwana asked court to give him more time so he could take his clients through the state witnesses’ statements.
The Chief Magistrate was however not pleased with the defence counsel’s excuses noting that Ramaotwana was aware of the trial dates in June.
She said the only information that was missing had been the weight of the dagga and that the prosecution had since amended the charge sheet to include it.
