12 Sep 2013

Chief Magistrate Lenah Oahile-Mokibe has raised concerns about the delay in completion of investigations in a case in which four men are accused of illegal possession of two rhino horns.

Chief Magistrate Oahile-Mokibe of the Village Magistrate Court registered her concern after prosecutor, Inspector Tlotlang Balatlhwa told the court that they had sent the two horns for forensic examination and were still awaiting results. While he acknowledged the concern raised by the chief magistrate, Inspector Balatlhwa asked for the court’s indulgence, saying the outcome of the results would pave the way forward.

He further asked the court to set November 29 as the new date of mention and this was agreed upon by defense attorney Mr Friday Leburu and Chief Magistrate Oahile-Mokibe. The four men are Imran Kara (25) of Boswelatlou location in Lobatse, who is also a Manager at Chicken Licken; Jonathan Antonio (38) of Plantation in Lobatse, who is Group Human Resource Manager at 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, who is employed as an Animal Health Technician in The Hurvitz Group. 

On February 27, 2013 in Gaborone West Industrial, the four were allegedly jointly found in illegal 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 bail of P5000 each and asked to provide Batswana sureties of the same amount. They have also been ordered to report to Lobatse Police Station every Friday and attend all court sessions. ENDS