Fake South African cops arrested in Botswana

19 February 2015 - 16:42 By Sapa
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Botswana police have detained two South Africans for allegedly impersonating South African police officers, the Gaborone-based Global Post reported on Thursday.

Donald Nyoni and Solomon Zitha, both from Johannesburg, appeared in the Francistown Magistrate's Court on a charge each of false representation of South African police.

According to the report, the two allegedly worked together and "arrested" one Menje Phiri.

In court, Nyoni said they had been following a Tanzanian man who had used his sister as a drug mule. Nyoni said his sister had since died after swallowing drugs. He claimed they took Phiri to a police station for questioning.

On arrival at the police station, he and his friend Zitha were instead arrested and charged with impersonating police.

"What can we take from him? All I want is information about my sister's death," Nyoni told the court during his bail application.

Zitha said he merely accompanied his friend.

Prosecutor Semakaleng Mazibane opposed their bail.

She said they still had to further consult their South African counterparts.

Denying them bail, Magistrate Dumisani Basupi said the accused were a flight risk since they were non-citizens and investigations were still at an early stage.

The accused were expected back in court on February 27.

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