20 Nov 2013

Unemployed Mononofi Chabaneng (42) of Modimo ward in Majwelane, Mota Motshobedi (38) and Mareko Motshobedi (30) of Moatlhodi ward in Khudumelapye appeared before Molepolole Principal Magistrate Bhekimpilo Sibanda for a single count of unlawful possession of government trophy.

Chabaneng, who pleaded guilty while his co-accused pleaded otherwise, was fined P5 000 which was to be paid by January 6, 2014 or serve a five-year jail term should he fail to pay.

According to the facts as read in court, the accused persons acting together on August 16 in 2011 in the outskirts of Khudumelapye in the Kweneng Administrative District were found in possession of python meat and skin without a license or permit.

Investigating officer, Sub Inspector Blackie Kealotswe of Letlhakeng police station received information that the accused persons had killed and skinned a python and thereafter, kept its meat in a 12.5 kg White Star maize-meal bag and hid it at a VDC house where the police ultimately found it.

It was said that upon finding the python skin as well as its biltong, Sub Inspector Kealotswe sent both the meat and the skin to the Wildlife Biologists for analysis and on August 25, 2011 received an affidavit which indicated that both belonged to a Southern African Rock Python.

In mitigation, Chabaneng prayed to the court to be considerate when sentencing him as he had an eight months pregnant girlfriend who needed his attention and that he was the sole breadwinner.

He asked the court to fine him instead of sentencing him to prison. When delivering sentence, Principal Magistrate Sibanda said he considered the fact that the accused was not a first offender.

Principal Magistrate Sibanda said he considered the accused person’s mitigation and had also taken into consideration the fact that Chabaneng’s previous convictions were from 21 years ago and therefore, considered too old to be relevant to the offence he was charged with.

He also said he believed that the reptile was killed for ritual purposes even though the court was not made aware of such information. Principal Magistrate Sibanda said he took it that the accused person had a humble background and the fact that the accused person did not waste the court’s time by pleading guilty.

“The court therefore finds you guilty of the offence and as such fines you P5 000 and makes it clear to you that the ignorance of the law is not an excuse,” Principal Magistrate Sibanda said. The case was set for January 7, 2014 for review. Ends