FIVE Zimbabwean border jumpers accused of illegally panning for gold in Francistown, Botswana, have been acquitted of the charge due to lack of evidence.
The Zimbabweans have been identified as Peter Moyo (23), Msix Moyo (42), Phumulani Moyo (27), Attiwel Ndlovu (23) and a 17-year-old juvenile who denied the illegal mining charge when they appeared before Francistown chief magistrate Mareledi Dipate.
They, however, admitted to the charge of irregular entry into the neighbouring country.
In mitigation on the irregular entry charge, Phumulani and Peter pleaded with the court not to hand them a custodial sentence.
Notwithstanding, the magistrate sentenced them to one year in prison backdated to the time they were incarcerated following their arrest on November 15, 2021.
