Namibia: bail hearing in rare-plant poaching case
A suspected plant-trafficking kingpin, Diana Mashiku (29) from Tanzania, and her three Namibian co-accused are scheduled to apply for bail on Thursday in the Opuwo Magistrate’s Court.
Mashiku and her Namibian assistants – Veisiruaije Tjavara (25), Jenniter Simataa (37) and Tjivinda Unatavi (31) – were arrested for allegedly being in possession of 46 Adenia pechuelii plants, known as elephant’s foot, which they allegedly harvested without a permit.
They were arrested between 21 October and 10 November in the Okondjombo area of the Kunene region.
Mashiku has been charged with contravening the Prevention of Organised Crime Act and the Forest Act.
This charge carries heavy sentences with fines, up to 100 years’ imprisonment, or both.
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