Chase's research permit revoked

Mike Chase PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES
Mike Chase PIC: THALEFANG CHARLES

The fight over elephants’ statistics in Botswana has narrowed down to two men, both Batswana. It is the researcher versus the technocrat, Dr Michael Chase, the founder and director of Elephants Without Borders (EWB) from Kasane in Chobe versus Thato Raphaka, Permanent Secretary in Ministry of Environment, Natural Resources Conservation and Tourism from the government enclave in Gaborone. Staff Writer THALEFANG CHARLES reports.

Government has denied Dr Chase an extension of a research permit, Mmegi has learnt. The government turned down his permit extension request in a letter from the Ministry and signed by Raphaka, dated December 17, 2018.

Chase shot to controversy last September after an explosive BBC report claiming that EWB counted 87 poached elephant carcasses in northern Botswana near a wildlife sanctuary.

Editor's Comment
Human rights are sacred

It highlights the need to protect rights such as access to clean water, education, healthcare and freedom of expression.President Duma Boko, rightly honours past interventions from securing a dignified burial for Gaoberekwe Pitseng in the CKGR to promoting linguistic inclusion. Yet, they also expose a critical truth, that a nation cannot sustainably protect its people through ad hoc acts of compassion alone.It is time for both government and the...

Have a Story? Send Us a tip
arrow up