Namibia: Elephant Foot, Hippo Meat Discovered in Police Vehicle


The Namibian (Windhoek)

20 August 2008
Posted to the web 20 August 2008

Absalom Shigwedha


Namibian Police in the Caprivi have not arrested anyone or opened a case after game meat was found in a bus belonging to the Namibian Police at the Mururani checkpoint east of Rundu on Sunday.

A Game Ranger at the Mangetti Game Park, Mathias Kaveto, claimed that the lack of action was because a senior Police officer was driving the bus in which the meat was found.


"We are unhappy with this," said Kaveto.

Kaveto, who was called to Mururani when his colleagues made the discovery, said the meat included parts of a hippo and an elephant foot.

The meat was allegedly wrapped and sealed in three plastic refuse bags, while some other parts were in a cooler box.

The meat was impounded, Kaveto said.

It is not clear where the Police officers got the meat.

Speaking from Rundu yesterday, Kavetu told The Namibian that Police at Mururuna had told him that they could not make an arrest, as Police regulations prohibited them from arresting a superior officer.

But Kaveto said he would push for a case to be opened and had informed his seniors about the incident.

He said the Veterinary Services officials and Police officers on duty at the Mururani checkpoint when the meat was found were instructed by the Police chief for the Caprivi Region, Deputy Commissioner Tylvis Kampolo, that the Police officers should be let go, as senior officers were involved.

Three Police vehicles, two buses and a car, were on the way to Gobabis for a sports event when they were stopped at the checkpoint.

The bus had passed through two other roadblocks - at Kongola and Divundu Gate - before reaching Mururani.

The officer in charge at the Mururani checkpoint, Sergeant Wilfred Magana, has confirmed the incident.

He said the matter was still being investigated.

There is a ban on the movement of animals and animal products from the Kavango Region, where an outbreak foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) was detected last month.

Hippos and elephants are protected animals.

Possessing hippo meat can incur a fine of up to N$6 000, while the maximum fine for being found with elephant products is N$20 000.


Additional reporting by Nampa