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Clement Mukwasi , Victoria Falls correspondent
An ill-calculated bid by a Botswana dentist and his friend to steal a hired car and sell it in Zambia backfired yesterday after the two were arrested by vigilant Zimbabwe Police officers.

Jacob Ketshephaone, 28, of 32142 Phakalane, and Tebolo Potential Moseki, 31, of Plot 5034 in Gaborone pleaded guilty to charges of deliberately making a false statement to a public officer when they appeared without legal representation before Victoria Falls resident magistrate, Sharon Rosemani.

Ketshephaone and Moseki were convicted on their own pleas and were remanded in custody to today for sentencing.

The state case as presented by the Prosecutor, Takunda Ndovorwi, was that on December 29 last year, Ketshephaone approached a company called Lushatho Investments trading as Destiny Car Rentals situated at Plot 50345/8 Blue Jacket Street, Haskings building, Francistown and hired a white Toyota Hilux registration number B123478.

He was given authority to drive the car to Zimbabwe.

Ndovorwi said Ketshephaone then approached Moseki and the two drove through Zimbabwe and went to Lusaka, Zambia where upon arrival, they sold the car for $15,000.

On Wednesday, the two crossed the border into Zimbabwe and went straight to Victoria Falls Police Station where they falsely made a report to Constable Jakata that they had been robbed of the car, $400 and three bags containing an assortment of goods.

Police detectives then investigated the case and discovered that the report was false and arrested the two.

In mitigation, Ketshephaone said that he is employed as a consultant and earns 16,000 Pula.

He said he has a girlfriend who is seven months pregnant and that he was tempted by greed to commit the offence.

He further stated that he had hired the car in order to attend the Jameson Carnival that was held in Victoria Falls.

Moseki told the court that he is employed as a dentist at Mochudi Hospital, Gaborone and that he was enticed into committing the offence by his colleague but was remorseful.

He said that he regretted his actions and was now worried he would lose his job as a civil servant. Moseki said he earns 22,000 Pula per month.

Immediately after their incarceration, three Botswana detectives were seen at the courthouse making frantic efforts to interview the pair.