Woman wants dead cow in court

Lebogang Baingapi | Thursday February 11, 2016 16:15

 

The investigating officer, Seargent Batsho Mali told the court he had received a report of an accident on December 1, 2014 from one David Mogolegi, who claimed he had hit a bullock some few kilometres away from the Mabutsane Police Station around 10pm. Mali said he visited the scene with the car owner and they found a dead tshetlha bull with the brand mark A W R S near the road.

“I phoned the veterinary office to inquire about the owner and they took four days to respond that it belonged to the accused person,” he continued. He said the accused admitted that her bullock did not return home that day and she was therefore slapped with a charge of leaving cattle to stray.

During cross examination Mmolawa demanded that she be shown the bullock in question because the investigating officer never bothered to show it to her. Mani however said that he does not know what could have happened to the bullock after the accident.

“The bullock might have been savoured by scavengers and we currently do not have a place designated to keep dead animals. However I must emphasise that it is the responsibility of the cattle owners to herd them,” he charged.Mmolawa was of the view that the investigating officer and the complainant recorded her brand from her passing cattle and claimed that one of them was hit by the car. Mani could not identify the ear mark and Magistrate Segametsi Basinyi also quizzed him why he failed to secure the exhibit or at least auction the meat, of which he said he was not aware of the procedure.

Mmolawa in turn pleaded with the court to order the prosecution to bring her bullock to court to assist her in her defence. She also stated that it was not out of negligence that her cow went astray to the main road. The case continues on February 18, 2016.