As Ivory Theft Rises, So Do Penalties

Boniface Keakabetse | Monday October 24, 2016 16:36

 

When sentencing Zambian national Muwema Bisapa to a five year jail time and a P25, 000 fine, Taboka said with the high incidences of ivory theft, the courts have to issue stiffer sentences as a deterrent.

Bisapa (45) from Indeko compound in Lusaka and his countryman, Ashilly (38) from Malota Maramba in Livingstone, were convicted of possession of pieces of an elephant tusk.

The two were caught with six pieces of elephant tusks weighing 32.2kg at Makalamabedi in August. Bisapa pleaded guilty and was convicted last week while Ashilly will be tried after pleading not guilty. The court set November 21 for Ashilly’s trial and will appear on November 2 for mention.

Handing down judgement, Taboka noted that ivory related cases are on the rise in Ngamiland and vowed that local courts are determined to dish out stiffer penalties as deterrent for the crime.

 “There is no doubt that cases of unlawful possession are prevalent. The courts have to bring this to an end,” she said before sentencing Bisapa to five years jail term and a fine of P 25,000. She considered reasons Bisapa had advanced in his mitigation: that he is taking care of his children in Zambia as his wife is deceased. He also pleaded for the court leniency saying he is also taking care of his elderly mother.

In an unrelated case, a Motswana national Salif Al Bilal Bondo (60) who was arrested for possession of four pieces of two elephant tusks, was given seven year jail time and P 40,000 fine. Bondo was arrested for possession of ivory at Makalamabedi in November last year. The tusks weighed 54, 4 kg. Handing her judgement, Taboka said she considered what Bondo said in mitigation, that he has a business, children and his mother in his care. However, Taboka said cases of illegal possession of ivory are prevalent and need to be deterred.