Mmankgodi South Councillor, Baliki Tiro has spent the last three weeks behind bars following his arrest on suspicion of stock theft.
Acting on a tip-off, on Monday 14 July police officers raided the 55-year-old politician’s home, where they allegedly found around four cows worth of meat stored in a cold room.
Reportedly unable to give a satisfactory explanation as how he came to acquire the meat, Tiro was taken away, as was his nephew, Oteng Tiro, 35.
It is rumoured the Botswana Congress Party (BCP) member supplies meat to schools in and around Ramotswa and also sells to individuals in bulk.
The pair were arraigned before Molepolole Magistrates Court the next day and remanded in prison, where the Councillor has remained ever since.
His relative was released on bail after a week in the slammer, successfully approaching Lobatse High Court; however, the older
Tiro’s requests for freedom proved futile.
“After the two were brought to the police station for questioning, they failed to provide evidence that the slaughtered cows belongs to them. They were taken to court charged with stealing stock and they were remanded in custody and later on his nephew was released on bail,” confirmed Thamaga Station Commander, Moses Kwarare.
Tiro’s latest attempt to secure bail will play out this Tuesday when he appears for mention.
He will be joined in court by a third accused, Goabaone Ramausi, 35, who was arrested two days after the politician.
During Ramausi’s arraignment, Chief Magistrate, Gaseitsewe Tonoki had initially been inclined to grant him bail, even reprimanding the prosecution for bringing him to court without concrete evidence tying him to the matter.
However, the Magistrate changed his mind when Ramausi admitted the meat was found in his possession.
Yet to recover the skins and heads of the slaughtered cows, the police are planning to record more statements from possible witnesses.
