15 Jul 2020

A 31-year-old man of Botshabelo ward in Maun Gaboratanelwe Kwatso was on July 13 fined P50 000 for possession of elephant tusks.

 Maun Magistrate, Keneilwe Kgoadi also sentenced Kwatso to 10 years imprisonment with nine years wholly suspended for three years, provided he did not commit any offence under the Wildlife Act.

The convict was also ordered to have paid the P50 000 fine by July 17, this year, for which he would get an additional year in prison if he defaults.

According to the charge sheet, Kwatso was facing a single count of possession of elephant tusks, weighing 19.9 kilograms, valued at about P32 000, a crime  committed sometime on February 21, 2018.

It was alleged that Kwatso had offered to keep the two tusks for one Mpho, who was to collect them the following day, but he was apprehended by the police before the tusks were collected.

Trial of the other two accused in the matter, Reuben Sexhi and Chawapa Tsheko’s case will continue on September 11, 2020.  Ends