Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

Information & discussion on the Rhino Poaching Pandemic
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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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Son of Frelimo war veteran arrested in possession of rhino horns

02.10.2019

News of the arrest of Lucílio Matsinhe was received with shock because he is the son of a ‘liberator of the homeland’ and former minister of security. Nazira Suleimane reports

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Police arrested Lucílio Matsinhe, also known as ‘Tchenguela’, near a hotel in downtown Maputo where he was allegedly planning to deliver the ‘order’ to a presumed client. Photo: supplied

Lucílio Matsinhe, son of a popular Mozambican war veteran during the struggle for the country’s liberation against Portuguese colonialism, was arrested in the capital city Maputo on Monday in possession of rhino horns.

Police arrested Matsinhe, also known as “Tchenguela”, near a hotel in downtown Maputo where he was allegedly planning to deliver the “order” to a presumed client.

News of his arrest was received with shock in the defence and security forces sector because he is the son of a “liberator of the homeland”, Mariano de Araujo Matsinhe, a respected general in the liberation war who went on to serve as minister of security in the government of former president Samora Machel.

Police spokesperson Leonel Muchima said on Tuesday that Matsinhe was being investigated for alleged involvement in trafficking in wildlife protected by law. “After an investigation, we came to the conclusion that this individual carried with him species or derivatives of species prohibited by law – we refer to rhino horns,” Muchima said.

“This work culminated with his arrest and collection of these materials [at] a hotel resort. Data indicates that this individual is a repeat offender not only in this crime practice but also in the forgery of precious stones. And now he has been found carrying rhino horns.”

Questioned by the press at the 2nd Squadron media conference about his alleged involvement, “Tchenguela” was peremptory: “I will not make any statements, I ask you to respect my position,” he said.

Mozambique has a total of 54 coutadas (wildlife utilisation areas) and 14 national parks and reserves covering 25% of the national territory, home to elephants, lions, giraffes, rhinos and other protected wildlife species.

According to the National Administration of Conservation Areas (ANAC), the rhino is in danger of disappearing in Mozambique due to poaching. In the first six months of 2018 alone, 260 rhinos were slaughtered in the country.

In the first conviction in Mozambique of a foreign citizen for wildlife crime, a Maputo court on August 22 sentenced 24-year-old Chinese national Pu Chiunjiang to more than 15 years in jail and a fine.

Pu Chiunjiang was arrested last April at Maputo International Airport in possession of 4.2kg of rhino horn destined for the People’s Republic of China. He told the court that the suitcase containing the horns had been given to him by a stranger for delivery in Hong Kong, with the promise that his air ticket would be paid in full.

Pu Chiunjiang was convicted of the possession and transportation of wildlife products, prohibited under the Biodiversity Conservation Act. ANAC said in a statement the penalty will discourage crimes against nature.


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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O**


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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^Q^ ^Q^


Next trip to the bush??

Let me think......................
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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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5 wanted rhino poachers arrested in Hazyview

2019-10-05 19:42 | Jenna Etheridge

Five rhino poachers who were wanted for cases in Kwazulu-Natal have been arrested in Hazyview, Mpumalanga, police said on Saturday.

Police officers had arrest warrants for the men after they were linked to rhino poaching by means of forensics and ballistics, said Lieutenant Colonel Thulani Zwane.

They were linked to the death of rhinos and removal of their horns in Ntambanana and Esikhaleni in 2018.

Zwane said two rifles believed to have been used in the poaching were seized during their arrests.

The men, aged between 29 and 52, appeared in the Ngwelezane Magistrate's Court on Friday.

They will remain in custody until their bail application next Friday.


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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Anything new about the Skukuza Court?


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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Still status quo, I think! \O


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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\O


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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https://www.saps.gov.za/newsroom/msspee ... ?nid=22794

Media Statement from Directorate of Priority Crimes Investigation (HAWKS)
South African Police Service



NORTHERN CAPE – Matheus Willem Johannes Viljoen (55) and Gerrit Michael Johannes Davies (65) appeared at Kimberley Magistrate Court on Friday, 11 October 2019.

They were facing charges of illegal dealing in rhino horns and contravention of Section 57 of the National Environmental Management-Biodiversity (Nemba) Act 57 of 2009.

The duo was arrested on Thursday during an intelligence driven operation led by the Hawk’s Serious Organised Crime Investigating team together with the Stock Theft Unit and SANParks.

They were nabbed in possession of two Rhino horns and five other smaller pieces valued at R1.9 million. The team also seized an Astra revolver and a vehicle used in the commission of the alleged crime, following their failed attempts to sell the horns.

The case against the duo was remanded to the 18th October 2019 for a formal bail application.


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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Media Release: Risk to Poachers on the increase as SANParks use of technology leads to success

16 October 2019

The South African National Parks (SANParks) today announced three successful operations in the Kruger National Park (KNP), where six suspected poachers were arrested since the beginning of October 2019. During the operations, three heavy calibre hunting rifles were confiscated and the majority of suspects were arrested before shooting any animals. In the same period, there were no elephants poached despite 55 recorded poacher activities.

The successful operations are attributed to the dedication and efficiencies of the Ranger Corps, closely supported by rapid reaction K9, aircraft units and applied hi-tech detection technologies.

The Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SANParks, Fundisile Mketeni has commended all those involved in the operations saying “we are still miles away from being on top of this campaign but there is light at the end of the tunnel. Our investment in technology and intelligence gathering means the risk to poachers has increased and they know that if we pick up their spoor, they will lose their freedom. The Rangers Corps, K9 and Airwing units are working relentlessly in coordinated approach which is being continually refined to counter the threat posed by the poaching syndicates and for that we are grateful” said Mketeni.

Mketeni urged communities to continue providing vital information to assist in curbing the scourge of poaching. He warned criminals that they are constantly under scrutiny and will soon end up behind bars if they don’t stop their illegal activities. He cautioned communities to stop supporting the bush meat trade which has seen an increase in snares in the KNP.

All arrested suspects are detained at the Skukuza Police Station and will appear in court in due course.

Issued by:
Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park

Media enquiries:
Isaac Phaahla
GM: Communications and Marketing, KNP
Tel: 013 735 4363; Cell 083 673 6974
Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

https://www.sanparks.org/about/news/?id=57942


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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It's easy for this CEO to say a lot but what does he actually do to make a difference -O-


Next trip to the bush??

Let me think......................
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