Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

Information & discussion on the Rhino Poaching Pandemic
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Richprins
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Re: Skukuza court accused of letting poachers off with slap on the wrist

Post by Richprins »

KNP anti-poaching unit’s morale drops over lax sentences

Amanda Watson

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A rhino carcass that was poached in the Malelane section of the Kruger National Park, 21 August 2018. Picture Neil McCartney

A leaked complaint to the justice department noted a drop in the severity of sentences and repeat offenders getting bail, among other things.

Morale among members of the critical environmental crime investigation services (ECIS) at Kruger National Park (KNP) is reportedly flagging over concerns of repeat poaching offenders being given bail and minimal sentences being handed to poachers.

When called for comment over the leaked complaint from KNP to the department of justice and constitutional development, KNP spokesperson Ike Phaahla confirmed that the mood was dark regarding uncertainty over the courts.

“The colleagues I have spoken to have said their morale was very low because the court is not recognising the work they are putting in,” Phaahla said.

It is also understood Kobus de Wet from ECIS told the SABC during an interview that morale was dropping due to the uncertainty of what was happening at Skukuza District Court.

The complaint noted an “onslaught” against the court, and alleged complicity by Mpumalanga Chief Magistrate Tule-Tu Tonjeni and Skukuza District Court Magistrate Simon Fankomo.

The complaint registers four main concerns, namely: a drop in the severity of sentences; the granting of bail to repeat offenders; the transfer of cases to a court outside the KNP where the specialist prosecutors appointed by the National Prosecuting Authority cannot attend them; and whether or not there is an attempt to close the Skukuza court down, for reasons unknown.

According to the complaint, the SA Police Service’s endangered species stock theft unit situated in the KNP deals with all the rhino poaching cases.

“The members of this unit attend both to the district and regional court cases and due to the magnitude of these cases, they are in court virtually all the time,” read the complaint. “The same of course goes for the prosecutors. These police members and two prosecutors have a 99.8% conviction rate and up to recently had a 100% success rate in opposed bail applications.”

KNP had sent the complaint to the department of justice and on August 29 and to date had not received any feedback.

The Mpumalanga Magistrates Commission, under the department, is still busy with its response to The Citizen’s question sent on Sunday.

The commission’s Mohamed Dawood said yesterday he had referred the questions to Mpumalanga Judge President FM Legodi.

“He is also the chairperson of the magistrate’s commission. I’ve also sent them to the chief magistrate who is in charge to get their response to the matter,” he said.

Dawood could not say when a response would be sent, only that as soon as he knew.

https://citizen.co.za/news/south-africa ... sentences/


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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BY STAFF REPORTER - 16 September 2018

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File image: Forensic Services investigating a poached rhino.
Image: WEBSTER MOLAUDI


A suspected rhino and lion poaching operation has been dismantled with the arrest of 27 people in operations carried out in Hluhluwe‚ Acornhoek and Phalaborwa.

The South African Police Service’s National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure said on Sunday that the suspects were arrested over the past week.

“Remains of known endangered species were recovered‚” said Lieutenent Colonel Katlego Mogale.

A rhino horn was also seized‚ in addition to “three silencers‚ six unlicensed firearms‚ ammunition as well as other items that could have been used for the killing of wild animals“.

“Police have also opened an inquiry after bones of what is suspected to be a lion were discovered in Phalaborwa.”

Mogale said the arrests were a result of an intelligence led operation. The Rhino 9 Team‚ he said‚ comprises various government departments including members from various SAPS units‚ the Hawks‚ Customs and Excise‚ the South African National Defence Force‚ Ezemvelo and SANParks game rangers.

“Some of the suspects have appeared before various courts in the various provinces and their cases postponed for further investigations while they remain in custody.

“They face charges relating to immigration transgressions‚ murder‚ attempted murder‚ unlawful possession of firearm‚ unlawful possession of ammunition‚ possession of dangerous weapon/s‚ and trespassing.”

Eight of the suspects were wanted for murder and attempted murder in the Plessislaer policing precinct (KwaZulu-Natal). Mogale said they would appear in the Hluhluwe Magistrate’s Court soon for their formal bail applications.

“The arrest of these suspects should serve as warning and deterrent to other potential poachers that their chances of success in poaching are continuously being reduced with growing help from the communities‚” he said.

“Poachers are warned that over and above facing criminal prosecution‚ the law will come after their ill-gotten gains in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.”

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/sout ... no-9-team/


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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We are boiled frogs!


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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Kingpins arrested in significant rhino poaching bust

Wednesday 19 September 2018 - 12:51pm

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Jason Boswell
eNCA

JOHANNESBURG -The Hawks say six syndicate members implicated in a massive trafficking of poached rhino horns were arrested in a number of areas in Mpumalanga on Tuesday.

During the swoop luxury vehicles and motorbikes, trucks, an undisclosed amount of money, animal skins, property, and stolen property including generators were seized.

The suspects aged between 30 and 56, include two alleged syndicate leaders, one right-hand man, two police officers, and a former police officer.

The operation was supported by various departments and intelligence agencies.

The suspects are expected to appear at the White River Magistrate’s Court this afternoon, facing charges of theft, conspiracy to commit a crime, illegal buying and selling of rhino horns, corruption, and money laundering.

The Hawks said that internal disciplinary processes are already underway for the arrested police officers.


According to the Hawks, the "significant breakthrough" follows the launch of "Project Broadbill" in January 2017, that project focused on the criminal supply chain of poached rhinos within the Kruger National Park (KNP), Kwazulu Natal (KZN), Gauteng, and other private or state-owned reserves.

The syndicate members allegedly ran poaching groups with the support of corrupt police officials as well as authorities from the private game farms.

The criminal operations were well planned and allegedly achieved with para-military discipline and counterintelligence actions to prevent any exposure, said the Hawks in a statement.

“The operation spells hope for rhinos and other endangered species and we are fully committed to eradicating poaching and trafficking," said the head of Hawks, Godfrey Lebeya.

More arrests are expected.

https://www.enca.com/news/kingpins-arre ... ching-bust


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

Post by Lisbeth »

^Q^ ^Q^ ^Q^


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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Good news! ^Q^ ^Q^


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Re: Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

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^Q^ Well done


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Re: Arrested "Mr Big" Petrus Mabuza behind 70% of Kruger Poaching?

Post by Richprins »

BREAKING NEWS: Mr Big and Big Joe rearrested on seven counts of poaching
The two alleged rhino horn kingpins were arrested yesterday along with four other policeman.
22 hours ago

Arisa Janse van Rensburg
HAZYVIEW – Alleged rhino horn kingpin Joseph Nyalungu, better known as Big Joe, as well as Petrus Sidney Mabuza, better known as Mr Big, appeared in the White River Magistrate’s Court today.

They appeared with three active members of the police. Capt Phineas Lubisi, Const Aretha Mhlongo and Const Rachel Gwebane appeared together with former police constable Cloud Lubisi.

The arrests came after a long investigation by the Hawks facing charges of, among other, rhino poaching and theft.

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According to Hawks spokesman Capt Dineo Sekgotodi, the operation began yesterday. There are unconfirmed reports that this is part of the largest police operation against rhino poaching countrywide.

“While the investigation was ongoing, it was found that one of the suspects owes SARS R21 million,” Sekgotodi said and confirmed that this is in fact Big Joe.

The Hawks, along with SARS and the police are currently busy confiscating assets belonging to the accused and will continue with this tomorrow.

https://lowvelder.co.za/451169/breaking ... syndicate/


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Re: Arrested "Mr Big" Petrus Mabuza behind 70% of Kruger Poaching?

Post by Lisbeth »

There do seem to be more arrests lately :yes:


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Re: Arrested "Mr Big" Petrus Mabuza behind 70% of Kruger Poaching?

Post by Richprins »

:yes:

For political reasons. But well done! ^Q^


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