http://www.mmegi.bw/index.php?...r=2013/June/Friday21



SA men caught with truckloads of game carcass


ZOLANI KRAAI
Correspondent


Ramatlabama police have launched investigations after the arrest of 11 South Africans with three truck- loads of game carcasses.


Ramatlabama police boss, Superintendent Tshegofatso Mokumakwa has told Mmegi that the men were caught while trying to cross the Ramatlabama border gate to South Africa with the meat. He said the consignment consisted of meat from 12 springboks, 12 buffaloes, three gemsboks, two warthogs and two zebra. There was also one springbok skin, two springbok heads and two buffalo heads. "These men were caught at the border during our routine vehicle spot searches and after enquiring about their export permits allowing them to export the animal trophies, they failed to produce them, and we then warned and charged them accordingly," Mokumako explained. He said they have since established that the South Africans had gone for hunting at Makaukau Safari farm in Gantsi.

Meanwhile, Ramatlabama CID officer, Detective Assistant Superintendent Moses Temogo has said the men had hunting licences but no permits to export the kill. "Apparently these men were licenced to hunt inside the farm. The owner of the farm had sent his son who had no idea of how to assist them with the (export) permit only to be caught at Ramatlabama," Temogo explained. He told Mmegi that they have released the men since they were cooperating during the incident though they will be needed to help with the investigations. Temogo said the carcasses have been auctioned to the public. He was not ready to release the names of the South African since investigations are ongoing.

Sounds like they had a good hunt!

Sure looks as if they had a good hunt. Good to read that they were "co-operating" with the investigation. However, that they are in for a spot of bother is IMHO simply their own fault: The following was copied from the Web page of Makaukau Safaris:

Meat permits (to transfer meat across border) to be arranged by hunter beforehand

It has been many years since I last hunted in Botswana, but the procedure way back then was quite simple to follow. Although due to their own fault, I do feel for them about the loss of all their meat!

I've never been through that particular border crossing but have been through Zanzibar and other crossings close to Zanzibar crossing many times and have always been very politely asked for and always been happy tp donate a haunch of kudu or similar to each side of the crossing and it's always eased the process considerably....... They don't waste your time counting rounds etc & they'll even stay open past closing time if they know you're coming with nyama.......... so it sounds to me like these guys refused to give a donation and consequently lost the lot.

It would probably have been the hunt of a lifetime for them and man, I bet they were pissed off!

I can guarantee you that the border official has made a mistake regarding the buffalo. It is probably wildebeest that was shot in the ghanzi area. Besides as buffalo is a known fmd carrier there is no way that transit through the green zone would have been allowed. I doubt if there are 12 buffalo on quota this year in bots!

quote:

Originally posted by kukhama:
I can guarantee you that the border official has made a mistake regarding the buffalo. It is probably wildebeest that was shot in the ghanzi area. Besides as buffalo is a known fmd carrier there is no way that transit through the green zone would have been allowed. I doubt if there are 12 buffalo on quota this year in bots!

I actually hadn't thought of that but you're quite correct...... they probably were wildebeest.

I don't read Afrikaans, but it looks like Makaukau offers self-catered biltong hunts for about US$34/day. Doesn't say what the game-cost is.