03 Sep 2014

Francistown magistrate, Mr Dumisani Basupi has implored Batswana to desist from killing wild animals.

Speaking at an anti-poaching workshop in Sepako recently, Mr Basupi said protection of the wild animals should not only be for the fear of law but to also prevent the animals from extinction.

He noted that wild life in Botswana contributed significantly to the development of the country but expressed concern at the rate at which the animals were being poached. He said it was worrying that while some people survived out of ploughing and other programmes, some opted to live through poaching.

He said government was also concerned about poaching and came up with the Wildlife Conservation and National Parks Act that amongst others provides that any person who hunts or captures any protected game animal is guilty of an offence and liable to a fine of P10 000 and to imprisonment for seven years.

He however said in case of a rhinoceros such offender is liable to a fine of P100 000 and to imprisonment of 15 years.

Mr Basupi said the same law states that any person found in possession of a government trophy “shall be guilty of an offence and without derogation from his liability and any other provision of the Act shall be liable to a fine of P5 000 and imprisonment of five years”. He implored Batswana to prioritise the protection and conservation of wild animals and to neglect the duty to the wildlife officials, the police and members of the Botswana Defence Force.

He further encouraged people to report any animal that they found dead within seven days because failure to report was also an offence.

Mr Basupi implored the residents to familiarise themselves with the law saying ignorance of the law is not an excuse.

Superintendent Justice Ntheetsang revealed that poaching of elephants was a concern in the Nata and Sepako areas. He said since 2012 to date there were 17 cases of elephants poaching in which a total of 59 people were involved.

Superintendent Ntheetsang said the estimated value of the tusks in 2013 was P155 879.36 while this year it was P75 402.50.

He further explained that in 2012 six elephant carcasses were found with no tusks, while in 2013 seven carcasses were found and only three tusks were found. He said still last year 12 tusks were found abandoned in the bush.

Superintendent Ntheetsang said in all cases a total of 33 locals, eight Zambians and a Namibian were apprehended and so far two Zambians were convicted in 2012.

He said the police have realized that foreign nationals connive with locals because the locals have guns and horses that are used during poaching. The senior wildlife ranger, Mr Santu Sejankabo informed the residents that government has resolved to grant a 100 per cent value as compensation for the damage done by lions and elephants. He however said where a complainant killed the animal the compensation will be forfeited.

Mr Sejankabo encouraged the residents to report any damage done by the animals instead of resorting to killing them. He urged then to refrain from turning poaching into their source of income but instead utilise government progarmmes such as poverty eradication.

The theme of the workshop was “Conserve wildlife for future generation” and it was aimed at sensitising the residents on the importance of wildlife in tourism, the consequences of poaching and unlawful possession of government trophy, protected handling of firearm and ammunition and the protected, conserved and problem animals. The workshop was attended by the residents of Nata, Maposa, Manxotai and Sepako. ENDS