148 people fined for travelling without permits
Sojwe police have charged three men from Metsimotlabe for stock theft after they were caught with beef from two carcases loaded in a Pajero on Sunday.
Two of the suspects aged 25 and 46 were arrested by Lentsweletau police early morning around 0300hrs while on their way to Metsimotlhabe. The 42-year-old third suspect was later arrested at the cattle post in Mogotlho-wa-Lenong where they stole the cows.
The duo who got arrested first, claimed to have long bought the cows from the third suspect who had instructed them to collect the beasts. which they then decided to slaughter to stock up on meat during lockdown period when movement is restricted.
Sojwe Station Commander, Superintendent Kitsiso Lemogang, said that although the duo had travelling permits, they were gave the police contradicting statements concerning the meat. One said they killed the cows for consumption while the other claimed they had planned to sell the meat from home.
“We managed to recover the skins at the cattle post and realised that the culprits had destroyed the ear marks from one of the cows by cutting the ears off. They also destroyed the zone brand on the neck as well as the brand marks on the skin. The other skin however was okay, it was found with the owner’s brand marks,” Superintendent Lemogang explained.
In related crimes committed during lockdown, three people were charged for brewing traditional beer at home, which lead to illegal gathering while two others were nabbed and fined for travelling without permits contrary to Covid-19 regulations.
Superintendent Lemogang encouraged the public to abide by the regulations and stay home.
Meanwhile, Molepolole police have charged 148 people between Saturday and Monday for travelling without permits and two for selling traditional brew at home.
Station Commander,Superintendent Motlhaba Rammapya of Molepolole said they were also investigating a case involving a 47-year-old inmate at Molepolole Prison who has been accused of causing grievous bodily harm to another inmate that he allegedly assaulted on the head with a wooden cooking paddle.
The incident is said to have occurred on Saturday evening around 6pm following a misunderstanding between the two inmates after the the 50-year-old victim had allegedly said to the accused, “Mopakwana o wa ntlwaela” looseley translated to, “This autistic person is disrespecting me.’’The victim was hospitalised at Princes Marina Hospital with a broken skull. Both inmates have been locked up for stock theft.