According to reports from Botswana, Dawu, however, told the magistrate that he had hoped for a suspended sentence since he was assaulted during arrest.
ON THE CASE: Mbengwa
With the lack of movement along the normally lively Matsiloje border, fuel smugglers are becoming increasingly bolder as they go about their business.
Knowing they are unlikely to be spotted and reported to the police, the bandits no longer wait for the cover of darkness to conduct their lucrative but illegal trade.
Although they have made numerous arrests in recent weeks, Matsiloje Station Commander, Charles Mbengwa is convinced this is just the very tip of the iceberg.
“Every week we record a case of smuggling. Since the beginning of the year, we have already recorded more than 10 cases. Our own people in Botswana interact with people from the neighbouring countries to facilitate this crime. We always arrest people with huge quantities of petrol and diesel in big containers, including jojo tanks and 25-litre jerry-cans,” Mbengwa told The Voice in a brief interview this week.