02 Apr 2014

The state has withdrawn without prejudice the case in which four men are accused of illegally possessing two rhino horns.

Appearing before Village Magistrate Court on Monday, March 31 the prosecutor, Inspector Tlotlang Balatlhwa of the Divisional Prosecutions Unit at Broadhurst Police Station, said the prosecution decided to withdraw the matter on the basis that it would reinstate it once enough evidence had been gathered.

In the Novembert appearance, a prosecutor, Sub-inspector Galekhutle Mashumba of Sir Seretse Khama Airport Police Station (SSKA) told the court that investigators had since sent the two horns for examination at the forensic laboratories and were still awaiting results.

At the time, substantive magistrate, Ms Linah Oahile-Mokibe expressed concern that while the investigators will be waiting for the results nothing will be happening to the case and it would seem as if the court was the one that was delaying while in fact the blame should be put squarely on the prosecution.

The four men are Imran Kara (25) of Boswelatlou location in Lobatse who is also a manager at Chicken Licken, Lobatse, Jonathan Antonio (38) of Plantation, Lobatse who is Group Human Resource Manager- Chicken Licken in Lobatse, Leon Fingly Steinberg (27) who is a farmer at Steinberg farm in Lobatse and Crischa Lessau (29) of Lobatse Farm Estate employed as an Animal Health Technician in The Hurvitz Group.

The four were on February 27, 2013 in Gaborone West found in possession of rhinoceros horns contrary to section 70 of the Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act of the Laws of Botswana.

The accused were given conditional bail where they had to bond themselves with P5 000 each and provide Batswana sureties who will also bonded themselves with the same amount and to report to Lobatse Police Station every Friday and attend all court sessions.

The four accused were initially represented by Mr Friday Leburu. However, at the last appearance Ms Njiramanda Mbewe of Sadique Kebonang Attorneys appeared for the accused persons. ENDS