Scientific Examination Report Delays Lion Poaching Case

Pini Bothoko | Monday September 25, 2017 16:28

 

The accused, all aged 30 and residents of Kgalagadi south district, were arrested around the villages of Middlepits and Bogogobo in August. On their arrest the police retrieved bones and two lion skins in the quartet’s possession.

Middlepits police station commander, assistant superintendent Batani Lehuma told The Monitor that they are still waiting for scientific examination report in order to continue with the case.

“The case is mostly depending on those results hence we cannot continue with the case,” Lehuma said.

He said that the scientific examination report would help them to verify the carcass that was in their possession was indeed the lion carcass. The report will also prove if the gun that was retrieved from them was used to kill the lions.

Lehuma however stated that the suspects are still on bail and reporting to the police station every Wednesday.

“The suspects were not detained because we are still waiting for the scientific examination report to be definite with our investigations. However we will ensure that this case reaches its logical conclusion,” Lehuma said.

He said they took the lion carcasses to wildlife biologists for examination weeks back.

“We have also taken the gun retrieved from the suspects that we suspect might have been used to kill the lion to the ballistic expects to check if indeed it was used,” Lehuma said.

Lehuma also raised concern about the rise in poaching and stocktheft in his policing area despite endless interventions in fighting and educating members of the community about these crimes.

He said that usually the thieves target small stock and they have established that they have found their market as far as Gaborone.

“We have reports that people come as far as Gaborone and surrounding areas in search of small stock.

We heard that the customers are the people who sell them to poverty eradication beneficiaries as well butchery owners. These are the people who fuel livestock rustling by purchasing stolen stock as stock theft continue to cause havoc.

It is of concern as farmers are having sleepless nights as their livestock disappear into thin air,” Lehuma said.