Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

[Lisbeth]

Tough sentences!

[Richprins]

One of SA's most wanted rhino poachers arrested
08 May 2023 - 21:12 By Simon Bloch






Wanted rhino poacher Odis Maluleke has been rearrested.
Image: Supplied

One of South Africa’s most wanted rhino poaching suspects is behind bars again after he was rearrested near the Kruger National Park on Friday.

Odis Maluleke, 47, a Mozambican who has been on the run for more than four years, was apprehended in a co-ordinated operation conducted by the police Skukuza stock theft endangered species unit and the tactical response team.

Mpumalanga’s stock theft unit head Col Phindile Nkambule said Maluleke was at a tavern near White River when police arrested him.

“Information available so far is that Maluleke was planning to get into the Kruger National Park. Records show there were three outstanding warrants of arrest for the suspect after he absconded from separate court trials,” she said.

In July 2015, Maluleke was arrested near the Kruger Gate and charged for trespassing in a protected area (KNP), possession of an unlicensed firearm, illegal possession of ammunition and possession of a dangerous weapon. He was released on R20,000 bail.

In early May 2017, he was arrested at a private rhino reserve in the Kalahari, North West, after shooting at police tracking him and an accomplice after they allegedly killed and dehorned a rhino.


Police returned fire, wounding Maluleke, while his accomplice managed to escape. Two rhino horns and a prohibited firearm with its serial number filed off were recovered.

After recovering in hospital, Maluleke remained in custody for a few months until he was granted bail by the Ganyesa magistrate's court.

In February 2019, while facing trial for the North West rhino poaching incident, Maluleke was caught red-handed with three other people attempting to flee the KNP with freshly poached rhino horns, a heavy calibre hunting rifle and ammunition.

Despite strong opposition to bail from the investigating officer, the Bushbruckridge magistrate's court granted R30,000 bail to Maluleke, who absconded again.

Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala said a warrant of arrest was issued for Maluleke, while a fourth suspect — former KNP employee Philip Gumede — has since died.

Maluleke will remain in custody and join his two co-accused, Solly Silaule and Sam Khoza, in the dock after they appeared in the Skukuza magistrate's court last month.

TimesLIVE

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south- ... a7o_QFH4-A

[Lisbeth]

The police catch them and the court releases them Must be rather depressing for the police force. This one will never change. Put him in jail and throw away the keys

[Richprins]

Poacher sentenced to 22 years in prison for killing two rhinos
04 July 2023 - 15:04
Phathu Luvhengo Journalist

Poacher Enock Ngobeni, who killed two rhinos in Kruger National Park for their horns, was sentenced to 22 years in prison.







Image: Supplied

A poacher from Mozambique has been convicted and sentenced to 22 years in prison for killing two rhinos in the Kruger National Park.

Enock Ngobeni, 31, appeared at the Skukuza regional court on Tuesday for the crime he committed in April. He was sentenced for poaching-related offences.


Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said Ngobeni pleaded guilty to the crimes and was convicted of trespassing, contravention of the Immigration Act, two counts of killing rhinos, conspiracy to commit an offence and possession of a dangerous weapon.

She said on April 17 rangers of the Tshokwane section, near Skukuza Rest Camp, were patrolling and found two rhino carcasses. They followed footprints and found Ngobeni and his unknown accomplice in possession of a firearm and two fresh horns.

“Ngobeni was arrested. His accomplice escaped and is still on the run,” she said.

Nyuswa said Ngobeni pleaded guilty to the crime and in aggravation of sentence, regional court prosecutor Lot Mgiba led DNA evidence of horns that were found in their possession, and it matched two carcasses found in Tshokwane section.

“The NPA is pleased with the speedy finalisation of the matter. We welcome the conviction and sentence.”

TimesLIVE

https://www.timeslive.co.za/news/south- ... U3azLX9aIs

[Lisbeth]

Ruining life for how much? But maybe his life was so bad that it couldn't get any worse

[nan]

[Richprins]

No excuses, it is pure greed!

[Lisbeth]

For sure it's a crime, but probably not "pure greed" for all of them. Mostly there is a cartel or a big boss behind it.

[Richprins]

Poaching kingpin ‘Big Joe’ to Polokwane Correctional services

The defence team of the alleged poaching kingpin, Joseph ‘Big Joe’ Nyalunga, asked the court for a postponement as they were not prepared for the new charges brought against him.
July 13, 2023
Anwen Mojela



This was during his second appearance in the Lenyenye Regional Court after he was arrested in May. Nyalungu’s defence team requested that he be transferred to a Polokwane correctional facility due to difficulty to obtain his chronic medication in Thohoyandou where he was in custody until then. The court agreed and Joseph has been moved to Polokwane.

Nyalunga was arrested on Saturday, May 27 in Kampersrus after a car chase involving the police. He allegedly has a long history of poaching and was first arrested in 2011 after being on police’s radar for several months. Rhino horns and a large amount of cash were discovered in his car at the time. After his arrest, he was released on bail.


In 2012 he was behind bars once again after being trapped in an undercover police sting operation in Hazyview where he was once again found with rhino horns in his vehicle. On May 27 he was traced in a joint intelligence operation conducted by the Limpopo Stock Theft Unit, Hoedspruit police, Farm Watch, and the CPF. He was arrested after he crashed into another vehicle near Kampersrus.

At his first appearance in the Hoedspruit Magistrate’s Court on June 15, residents protested against possible bail and started a petition with nearly 8 000 signatures. “We would like to thank everyone who has signed this petition. Once the bail hearing goes ahead, these signatures will go a very long way in helping justice be served.

“We request that you keep on sharing this petition to help get us closer to the10 000-signature mark,” said a group of residents organising the petition. To sign the petition, go to www.change.org and search for the petition on the website.


https://letabaherald.co.za/130171/poach ... m1WYsflZSQ

[Richprins]

Here is the petition


https://www.change.org/p/united-against ... ion=search