Zimbabwean nationals have been remanded in custody by a Botswana court after being arrested in connection with a series of burglaries, theft, and illegal immigration offenses. The suspects, Mthulisi Ncube (25) and Beliff Tshebukani Ngwenya (29), are accused of orchestrating a cross-border criminal operation that targeted teacher residences in Botswana.
The pair were apprehended following an intense manhunt involving Botswana Police Service officers and local community members. Authorities say the suspects had been on the run after allegedly committing multiple break-ins and thefts in areas surrounding Francistown, one of Botswana’s largest cities.
According to police reports, zimbabwean men unlawfully crossed the Botswana border from Zimbabwe with the specific intent of targeting teacher accommodations. Once inside the country, they allegedly scouted and broke into several properties belonging to teachers, stealing household items, electronics, clothes, and other personal belongings.
In one notable incident, they reportedly broke into the home of teacher Batsile Matenge, from which they stole a television set and four pairs of sneakers. The stolen goods were valued at P8,100. In a separate incident, they are alleged to have burglarized the home of teacher William Vimba, making away with clothing and toiletries worth P2,950.
Investigators believe the duo intended to smuggle the stolen items back to Zimbabwe, potentially for resale or personal use. However, their plan was thwarted after law enforcement received tips from community members who had spotted the pair acting suspiciously near the teacher compounds.
The zimbabweans allegedly resisted arrest when confronted by police, resulting in a tense standoff that required backup officers and public assistance to resolve. After being overpowered and arrested,zimbabwean men were taken into custody and later appeared before the Francistown Magistrates’ Court.
Zimbabwean Men Remanded in Botswana Over Cross-Border Burglary and Theft Charges
They face a total of six charges:
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Two counts of illegal entry into Botswana
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Two counts of housebreaking
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Two counts of theft
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One count of resisting arrest
The magistrate reserved their pleas during the initial hearing. Meanwhile, State Prosecutor Sergeant Tumalano Phobe argued strongly against granting them bail. Phobe emphasized that both men are illegal immigrants with no fixed abode or legal status in Botswana, and their release would pose a significant flight risk.
“Other items are yet to be retrieved, and the accused are illegal immigrants without permanent residence in Botswana. We fear that if granted bail, they may flee to Zimbabwe and evade justice,” Phobe stated.
When questioned by the court, the accused men offered little in their defense, simply stating that they had “nowhere to go.”
As a result, the magistrate ordered their remand in custody pending further investigations.
This case has highlighted growing concerns in the Southern African region over increasing incidences of cross-border crimes involving Zimbabwean nationals. With Zimbabwe’s ongoing economic instability and high unemployment rates, neighboring countries such as Botswana, South Africa, and Zambia have reported spikes in crimes involving illegal immigrants seeking better opportunities—some of whom engage in theft and smuggling to survive.
In Botswana, there has been a noticeable uptick in property crimes allegedly linked to undocumented foreign nationals. The government has intensified immigration controls and law enforcement operations, especially in border towns and rural areas close to transit routes.
Botswana’s judiciary and security agencies have reiterated their commitment to protecting the property and safety of residents while upholding the law in handling immigration and criminal matters. However, critics have also called for broader regional cooperation between countries like Botswana and Zimbabwe to manage migration flows, share intelligence, and prevent repeat offenses.
As investigations continue, Botswana police are still working to recover the remaining stolen items and establish whether the two accused were acting alone or as part of a larger criminal network operating between the two countries.
The suspects are expected to return to court soon, where prosecutors will likely present more evidence. Their continued detention serves as a reminder of the legal consequences of border violations and property crimes in Botswana’s strict judicial environment.
Meanwhile, the victims—teachers who had their homes invaded—are reportedly traumatized and seeking assistance to replace their lost property. Education officials have called for improved security around teacher housing and better community policing to deter future attacks.
The Zimbabwean community in Botswana has also weighed in, with some expressing concern that such cases may tarnish the reputation of the majority of law-abiding Zimbabwean immigrants living and working in the country legally.
Source-Bulawayo24
