Three Zimbabweans and two Batswana have been sentenced to two years in prison for human trafficking in Botswana after being caught transporting ten undocumented Ethiopian immigrants in Tonota.
Their arrest occurred on October 5 when police intercepted a minibus full of the Ethiopians, who lacked proper travel documents and were traveling from the Ramokgwebana border.
The local men, Saviana Gaerope and Kagiso Madia, initially faced police scrutiny, revealing that they were to hand the immigrants over to William Shoniwa, who had plans to further transport them.
Shoniwa was expected to deliver the Ethiopians to another accomplice in Serule, who would facilitate their smuggling into South Africa.
All five defendants admitted guilt during court proceedings, with Madia pleading for leniency due to his responsibilities as a father and the potential loss of his job.
Chikwama and Shoniwa acknowledged their knowledge of the trafficking operation, while Ncube, who claimed ignorance, was also implicated and sentenced.
The judge, Tshepo Magetse, underscored the gravity of human trafficking in Botswana and emphasized the need for deterrent sentences to combat such offenses.
Despite their pleas for non-custodial sentences, the court prioritized the seriousness of the crime.
