Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

[H. erectus]

We have here a situation that can well be compared with treason.
Treason probably being the worst act to commit, in times of turmoil.

In many countries treason is regarded the worst deed that anyone can
do. This bastard above walks free R2000.00 later. Goes to show how
cheapskate this country has become. Moral standing worth s+iy in this
country. Legality has become the moral religion of this country, backed
by plenty finance.

[Richprins]

Zambia arrests 3 Chinese for rhino horn trafficking
2017-07-30 17:52

Lusaka - Zambian authorities on Sunday said they had arrested three Chinese nationals and two locals found carrying pieces of rhino horn at the border with Mozambique.

Parks and wildlife ministry spokesperson Sakabilo Kalembwe said the five were arrested at the Chanida border post.

They were held for "illegal possession of 25 rhino pieces weighing 32.2 kg," Kalembwe said in a statement.

The origins of the horns could not be immediately confirmed.

On Wednesday a 24-year-old Chinese woman flying from Zambia with 20 kg of rhino horn was arrested at South Africa's main airport on her way to Hong Kong.

But Kalembwe said no rhino has been reported poached in Zambia nor were any horns missing from its stockpiles in recent days.

Four decades ago, Zambia boasted a healthy rhino population of around 12 000 but by 1998 the animal was declared extinct due to rampant poaching. A few dozen have now been reintroduced into the country.

Rhino poaching is rife in southern Africa, especially in South African game reserves, fuelled by cross-border syndicates who are feeding an insatiable demand for their horn in Asia.

Rhino horn is mistakenly believed to have medicinal powers including being anti-carcinogenic.

Roughly a quarter of the world rhino population has been killed in South Africa, home to 80 percent of those remaining, in the last eight years.

http://www.news24.com/Green/News/zambia ... g-20170730

[nan]

is those ones to have to arrest

[Alf]

Wow 32.2kg of rhino horn is plenty

[Richprins]

Rhino poacher jailed for 20 years in South Africa
A Mozambican rhino poacher caught at a world famous game reserve in South Africa has been jailed for 20 years, police said.
3 hours ago

Mapoyisa Mahlauli, 30, was sentenced on Thursday following his arrest last year in the Kruger National Park, which borders Mozambique.

“Mahlauli was sentenced to an effective 20 years imprisonment after he was found guilty… for various rhino-poaching related crimes,” said police spokeswoman Katlego Mogale in a statement on Monday.

“This will send a strong message to other potential rhino poachers about the consequences of their actions if caught.”

Rangers tracked the poachers after they heard gun shots and discovered a white rhino whose horns had been freshly sawed off, in March last year.

A shoot-out ensued before Mahlauli was discovered with a rifle and a pair of rhino horns. His accomplice had fled.

Police said they also arrested a Hong Kong-bound Chinese national at Johannesburg’s international airport on Friday, after he was found in possession of five rhino horns wrapped in foil.

South Africa is home to around 20,000 rhinos, about 80 percent of the worldwide population, but the country has suffered a record loss at the hands of poachers in recent years.

Poachers have killed more than 7,100 rhinos across Africa over the past decade.

Rhino horns are highly prized in Asia, where they are mistakenly believed to have medicinal powers.

The horns consist mainly of keratin, the same component as in human nails, and are sold in powdered form as a supposed cure for cancer and other diseases — as well as a purported aphrodisiac — in Vietnam and China.

© 2017 AFP

http://lowvelder.co.za/lnn/304195/rhino ... uth-africa

[Lisbeth]

Hopefully the poachers will learn from these 20 years

[Richprins]

Notorious five charged with poaching
They are allegedly affiliated with a transnational syndicate.
5 hours ago

KOMATIPOORT – Ahead of World Rhino Day being celebrated today, law enforcement recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against poaching this week. Five men, allegedly affiliated with a notorious transnational syndicate, were arrested following an intelligence-driven operation on Tuesday.

South African Cecil Lloyd Matsane (40), Zimbabweans Felix Gerrito Gumbe (37) and Alberto Chamuno Mandizvidza (30), and Mozambicans Mario Everisto Camembe (32) and Simon Amoz Ngobeni (29) appeared in the Tonga Magistrate’s Court yesterday. They were charged with conspiring to commit rhino poaching.

A source close to the investigation told Lowvelder that a tip-off warned authorities that a gang of poachers was on its way to the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Crocodile Bridge Gate that morning.

Armed with a description of the suspects’ vehicle, the SAPS, the Directory of Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI), Pretoria Hawks and KNP rangers set out to nab the alleged would-be poachers before they could make it into the park. They arranged a roadblock on the road that leads to Marloth Park.

“We flagged down a vehicle matching the description and searched it. The five suspects – notoriously well known to law enforcers – had suspicious items in their possession,” said the source. According to the man, this included an unlicenced firearm, ammunition, a silencer, axes and large knives, typically used to remove rhino horns from poached carcasses. Their vehicle was seized and they were taken into custody at the Komatipoort Police Station. Mulaudzi confirmed this and added that dagga was also found in their possession.

They also face charges of illegally possessing a firearm, ammunition and dagga. “Their bail application was postponed to October 3, and the suspects will remain in custody until then,” said provincial Hawks spokesman, Capt Lucy Dineo Sekgotodi.
“With tomorrow being World Rhino Day, we are happy to have made this major breakthrough in the fight against wildlife poaching,” said Lt Gen Yolisa Matakata, acting national head of DPCI, yesterday.

https://lowvelder.co.za/405865/notoriou ... -poaching/

[Richprins]

I wonder if their ID's were going to be scanned at Croc Bridge gate?

[Lisbeth]

Has the scanning already started?

[Richprins]

Yes!!!!

https://africawild-forum.com/viewtopic.p ... 9&start=50