Beili Zhang is still behind bars though she was granted a cash bail on Wednesday last week by the Village Chief Magistrate, Linah Mokibe-Oahile. She was arrested on January 15 on suspicion that she was engaging in ivory trade illegally. It is alleged that she was found in possession of elephant tusks at Sir Seretse Khama Airport. She is also accused of importing elephant tusks to Botswana without authorisation. The prosecution did not oppose her bail application because she has stayed in Botswana for over 16 years and has businesses in the country.
In her affidavit, Zhang said she was never told as to why she was being detained at Molepolole Center of Illegal Immigrants. "After I arrived at the police station, I was made to wait in the hallway, and was not told exactly what I was waiting for. A few minutes later, I was informed by one of the police officers at the station, that Directorate of Intelligence and Security (DIS) wants to take me to Molepolole.
