23 Mar 2016

A Zambian national, Edwin Musamba, has pleaded guilty to a single count of unlawful possession of elephant tusks while his co-accused and countryman Sharmboko Mwape pleaded not guilty to the same offence at Maun Magistrate on March 22.

According to court papers, the two accused are facing a single charge of unlawful possession of three pieces of elephant tusks weighing 21.2 kg and valued at over P34 000. 

The two were caught in possession of the elephant tusks on March 6 near Gweta while not authorised or exempted by law to carry such.

The accused’s lawyer, Mr Charles Tlagae informed the court that the defence has engaged a biologist who has ascertained that the pieces were indeed elephant tusks.

Mr Tlagae said through their own verifications with other bodies, they were inclined that the first accused entered a plea of guilty while the second accused pleaded not guilty because he was only a passenger in the vehicle.

Magistrate Bame Ngaka, therefore, remanded Musamba who is the first accused in custody while the second accused was discharged.

Earlier on, state prosecutor Mr Barayang Diundo had requested for another date for the presentation of facts. 

He said the state did not anticipate a guilty plea and that the facts and summary were not prepared. 

The first accused would appear again on March 31^st for presentation of facts. Ends