After almost five years on the run, robbery suspect Gerald Zikhale finally had his day in court this week.
The 42-year-old is part of a crew of men accused of making away with P2 million of Bank Gaborone’s money in an armed robbery on Trojan Security back in August 2011.
Following his initial arrest, Zikhale was originally meant to stand trial in 2014.
However, the Bokaa village man absconded, managing to evade arrest until January this year when the law eventually caught up with him.
Appearing before Molepolole Magistrate Court with his feet shackled together, Zikhale revealed he owed his freedom to his witch doctor, who had kept him hidden all this time.
It was an admission that had the packed court literally gasping in astonishment.
Under heavy escort of Special Support Group (SSG) officers, the suspect pleaded with court to allocate his case to a different prosecutor as the current one ‘is always busy and seems unable to handle the matter’.
It was a request presiding Magistrate, Kefilwe Resheng, explained was not possible.
“The court has no power to allocate prosecutors, I have just been told some dates are not suitable for him,” said Resheng, setting December 2 for trial.
Zikhale, along with Trojan Security employee Meshack Kangkangwane, accomplice witness Onkabetse Malope, Motlhathobi Bagopi and the late Brutas Mokgalo allegedly robbed the company at gunpoint in Kumakwane.
Malope is said to have confessed that the robbery idea was sold to him by a certain, Lefenyo Molefe who had engaged him to repair his car.
Malope allegedly contacted Bagopi to make all the arrangements.
It is believed that on the day of the robbery, Bagopi called Malope at midnight and they drove along the Gabane road to Engine Filling Station where they parked their car.
Malope then remained behind at the main road in Gabane leading to Kumakwane in order to alert his colleagues when the security van drove passed.
After the robbery, Malope allegedly drove to Gaborone and met his co-accused next to Julia Molefe traffic lights.
They are then said to have driven to Zikhale’s place in Mashabane ward, Bokaa where they reportedly shared the loot.