N$100k fine for ivory possession

A man has been sentenced to a fine of N$100 00 or four years in prison for illegal possession of four elephant tusks.

Bangorogile Motsokwe was arrested at Divundu on 28 October last year. He was convicted on 4 December of contravening the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act.

This is according to statistics provided by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry and the protected resources division within the safety and security ministry.

The statistics indicate that only two new wildlife crime cases have been registered since the beginning of December and three suspects were arrested in connection with these crimes.

Six controlled wildlife products were seized: four elephant tusks and two live pangolins.

At Tsumeb two Namibians were arrested on 1 December for contravening the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act. Raymond Shihepo and Augustinus Sikukutu were arrested for possession of two live pangolins.

In a separate incident on 3 December another Namibian was arrested for contravening the Controlled Wildlife and Products and Trade Act. Alfred Namayabona was arrested for having four elephant tusks in his possession. During November 50 suspects were arrested in connection with wildlife crimes while a total of 120 wildlife products were confiscated.

ELLANIE SMIT