Chases research permit revoked

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
Exercise extra caution!

Unfortunately, petty thieves tend to be more vicious around this time as they also prepare for the festive season. Culturally, many Batswana go home for the holiday, and petty thieves are amongst those who go home. Burglaries, car break-ins, and attacks on unsuspecting pedestrians seem to be on the rise!That is not all, as scammers continue to take money from pensioners as well as other Batswana who may fall prey to their unscrupulous tactics....

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