Botswana’s prosecuting authorities were expected on Friday to apply formally in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court for the extradition of two men suspected of murdering an SA man living there.

If the application succeeds, the Zambian and Nigerian would face the death sentence if convicted for the murder in his house in Botswana of accountant Robin Tilney on January 5 this year. Tilney was SA off-road champion in 1979.

The two suspect were due in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court for fraud after their arrests this week.

The Botswana prosecuting authorities and police want the two to stand trial for murder in Botswana along with Angela, the dead man’s ex-wife, who is of British origin. Angela, 62, was nabbed in Botswana a few days after the murder and has already made two court appearances, the last being on January 20. She was granted bail during that appearance.

During Angela’s first appearance, the prosecution told the court five people were being investigated for the murder.

The Botswana Gazette reported that the murder became known when Robin’s friend, a security guard at Caravella restaurant, became suspicious when he did not turn up on January 7. The security guard, who used to have frequent visits at the restaurant from Robin, had called the police.

On Wednesday, the Hawks arrested the first suspect while he was allegedly trying to purchase tyres using Robin’s credit card in an unnamed place in Joburg.

Hawks spokesman McIntosh Polela said Botswana police had referred the matter to their SA counterparts. The breakthrough came when police investigators noticed that Robin’s credit card was being used in various shopping centres in SA.

“Police, working with one of the country’s banks, kept watch of the shopping transactions, which included household appliances and a car tyre.

“The first suspect, a Zambian… was arrested in Johannesburg south when he went to fit a tyre, which he had ordered,” Polela said.

He said the Nigerian was traced after his car’s registration numbers had been circulated. - The Star