Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

[Lisbeth]

I presume that they also found the horns Why are SANParks' news never precise

[Alf]

Great work by the anti-poaching unit

[Richprins]

17 rhino horns found in Kempton Park warehouse

Citizen reporter





The 17 rhino horn seized at a warehouse in Kempton Park. Picture: SAPS.
Police say they received information about a suspicious consignment destined for Kuala Lumpur.

Seventeen rhino horns have been confiscated by law-enforcement agencies at a warehouse in Kempton Park on Monday, and a suspect is being sought.

Gauteng Hawks spokesperson, Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu, said the rhino horns were discovered following a multi-disciplinary operation by the Hawks, police crime intelligence, Customs and the Environmental Affairs Department.



“Authorities received intelligence regarding a suspicious consignment dropped off at a warehouse in a crate declared as chicken food mixture destined for Kuala Lumpur.

“Upon searching the consignment, authorities found a large blue geyser and discovered 17 big and small rhino horns weighing about 72.40kg wrapped in foil. Police are following on information regarding the suspect’s identity,” Mulamu said.

Compiled by Makhosandile Zulu

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

[Lisbeth]

South Africa seizes rhino horns to be smuggled to Malaysia
South African customs officials have seized more than $3.5 million worth of rhino horns at the OR Tambo Airport

By MOGOMOTSI MAGOME Associated Press
4 February 2021, 19:56

JOHANNESBURG -- South African customs officials have seized more than $3.5 million worth of rhino horns at the O.R Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg on Thursday.

A shipment of the 18 pieces of horns weighing 63 kilograms (139 pounds) destined for Malaysia was discovered at the airport's courier facilities.

The package was labeled “HP cartridges” but an x-ray scan revealed images resembling horns so the customs officials inspected it to discover the contraband, the South African Revenue Services said in a statement.

This is the fourth rhino horn bust at the airport by customs officials since July last year, with a total of 277 kilograms (611 pounds) of rhino horn worth more than $15 million confiscated, said the statement.

“Those that are determined to destroy the rich natural endowment of our country, which is a common treasure and heritage for all that we should look after for future generations, will be met with the unwavering commitment of our officers to enforce the law,” revenue service commissioner Edward Kieswetter said.

Earlier this week the government announced that rhino poaching in the country had declined by 33% in 2020 partly due to the COVID-19 lockdown regulations restricting movements around the country.

A total of 394 rhinoceroses were poached for their horns in 2020 down from 594 killed in 2019, according to the environment ministry.

It was the sixth consecutive annual decline in the number of illegally killed rhinos as officials wage an intensified fight against poachers.

Improved cooperation with other African countries including Botswana, Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), Kenya, Namibia, Mozambique, and Zimbabwe was also cited as having played a role in the decline in poaching.

Wildlife activists have warned that the illegal hunting of rhinos remains rife and poachers are becoming more sophisticated with the use of tools like drones.

Although numbers of rhinos illegally killed has declined, the overall rhino population itself has significantly declined, say conservationists.

[Alf]

[Richprins]

[Lisbeth]

One can only hope that the horns were harvested from farmed rhinos

[Richprins]

Conviction Announcement
Skukuza case 28/07/2018
Three accused persons were arrested on 2018-07-20 in the Houtboshrand Section of the KNP. Hunting rifle, axe as well as 4 x fresh rhinoceros horns were found in their possession. Case was finilised on 2021-02-23 in the Mhala RC after accused pleaded guilty.
Accused 1: Clement Mathebula
1. Illigal immegration - 1 year imprisonment
2. Trespassing in National Park - 4 years imprisonment
3. Possession of unlicensed firearms - 5 years imprisonment
4. Possession of a firearm with the intent to commit a crime - 6 years imprisonment
5. Possession of unlicensed ammunition - 2 years imprisonment
6. Possession of dangerous weapons - 1 year imprisonment
7. Hunting of threatened or protected animal nl. White rhinoceros - 10 years imprisonment
8. Hunting of a threatened or protected animal nl. White rhinoceros - 10 years imprisonment
Court ordered that sentence on count 1 run with count 2, count 3 run with count 4 and count 7 run count 8. Effective sentence of 23 years imprisonment. Accused also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Accused 2: Mustard Mathebula @ Valoyi
1. Illigal immigration - 1 year imprisonment
2. Trespassing in a National park - 4 years imprisonment
Court ordered that sentence in coun1 run with sentence on count 2. Effective sentence of 4 years imprisonment. Accused declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Accused 3: Artur Valoyi
1. Illigal immigration - 1 year imprisonment
2. Trespassing in a National park - 4 years imprisonment
Court ordered that sentence in coun1 run with sentence on count 2. Effective sentence of 4 years imprisonment. Accused declared unfit to possess a firearm.
: Cst. P Molapo

[Alf]

It’s amazing news but why did it took so long

[Lisbeth]

The SA courts, like many others, are far behind schedule