Three men appeared before the Maun Magistrate’s Court this week facing charges of stock theft following their arrest at Thololamoro settlement, a few kilometres before Sehithwa along the A3 road.
The three men including a 32-year-old Julius Kakero of Thololamoro, Collen Mutunge (28) of Maun and France Baaitse (48) also from Maun are said to have acted jointly together in cattle rustling in July 2022.
According to court records, on the 12 July 2022 police received a tip-off from a reliable source that unidentified men were seen slaughtering a cow suspected to have been stolen. The alleged incident took place at Thololamoro settlement, where the informant also claimed that the meat was being transported by vehicle.
Acting on the information, a team of police officers rushed to the location where they intercepted two vehicles matching the description given- a black Toyota Gaia (registration B 925 BGB) followed by a white Nissan NP300 (registration B 675 AVS).
Both vehicles were stopped and searched and police discovered fresh cow meat inside which the occupants identified in court as the three accused failed to produce proof of ownership for.
The meat was seized and later destroyed after a veterinary officer assessed and found it unfit for human consumption.
Investigating Officer, Constable Mogale testified that the men were warned and cautioned for the offence of stock theft shortly after their arrest. The three accused men all pleaded not guilty and are to appear again in court for status hearing on the 20th of January 2026.
Meanwhile, in a separate case, a 33-year-old Goitsemodimo Mosarwa also appeared before the same court charged with stock theft after he was found in possession of suspected stolen meat. Mosarwa of Satsau cattle post is accused of stealing a horse worth P1800.
The accused person is said to have stolen the horse in September 2021 at Machaba cattle post in the North West District. He is said to have without claim of right, stolen the animal being a property of a certain Tuvanana Tjihumino. Mosarwa who pleaded guilty of the offence is also to appear in court again on the 2nd September this year.
