Minor in court for unlawful possession of elephant tusks

The 17-year old boy (name withheld) was arraigned together with five men before Chief Magistrate Peggy Madandume. The state alleges that Dojiwe Kaelo, her son Joel Kaelo, Simisila Rekiso, Propaganda Thwane, Golobilemang Jackson, Odirile George and the boy were found with three elephant tusks on July 22, 2013 at Nata in the Central District.

The investigating officer, Detective Sergeant Uyapo Julius applied for the accused not to be granted bail as investigations were still at the initial stages. "This is a very serious matter. We are still looking for other accused persons in connection with this matter. We fear that the accused may tamper with our investigations if granted bail. We are also yet to visit the crime scene. Also we suspect that the accused are involved in the shooting of three other elephants that were found dead within the same village," explained Julius.