11 Apr 2016

Maun chief magistrate Taboka Mopipi has fined one Zambian national Edwin Musamba P30 000 paid immediately or six months imprisonment if defaulted during sentencing on April 8.

Musamba was facing a single charge of possession of three pieces of an elephant tusk weighing 21.2 kg and valued at about P34 556.

When passing judgement, Chief Magistrate Mopipi said she has taken into consideration all the factors Musamba has said in mitigation, that he was a first offender, taking care of his family of four children and had pleaded guilty therefore did not waste the court' s time.

However, Chief Magistrate Mopipi observed that elephant tusk possession was a serious offence which was on the prevalence therefore needed to be alleviated.

 Musamba and his co-accused Sharmboko Mwape were said to have been caught in possession of the elephant tusks on March 6 near Gweta village while they were not authorised or exempted by law to carry such.

However, the charges against the second accused Mwape were withdrawn since the defense argued he was only a passenger.

The accused persons were represented by Maun -based Lawyer Charles Tlagae while the state was represented by Mr Barayang Diundu.

Elephant tusks possession attracts maximum of P50 000 fine or 10 years imprisonment. Ends