Africa Wild

I hope so

Suspects arrested for being in possession of rhino horn in KwaMsane

12.10.2018 - Tamlyn Jolly


The rhino horn and rifle recovered at the homestead where the arrests were made PHOTO: KwaMsane SAPS

THREE suspects were arrested on Wednesday night for being in possession of rhino horn, an unlicensed rifle and four rounds of ammunition.

The arrests came as a result of KwaMsane police officers following strong leads that the residents of a certain homestead in Nkolokotho area were in possession of rhino horn.

Police swooped in on the homestead at 9pm on Wednesday night where, after searching the premises, they found rhino horn that had been hidden, as well as the unlicensed rifle. Two silencers were also found with the rifle and ammunition.

The suspects are aged between 20 and 28. It is reported that the head of the illegal operation remains at large.

Rhino poaching task force afraid as bail application continues
The bail application continued yesterday and has been postponed until Friday.
6 mins ago







Petros Sidney Mabuza.

WHITE RIVER – The team members investigating the alleged poaching syndicate recently exposed, fear for their lives daily.

Investigating officer Capt Leroy Bruwer testified in the rhino poaching accused’s bail applications on Friday that he had been assaulted by protesters who demanded the release of the accused. He also alleged that the prosecutor was threatened and that his own car, as well as one of the vehicles of the Hawks, was damaged.

The bail application of Joseph Nyalunga (Big Joe), Petros Sidney Mabuza (Mr Big/Mshengu), Claude Lubisi, Clyde Mnisi, Aretha Mhlanga and Rachel Qwebana started on October 8.




Joseph Nyalunga covering his face during the bail application.

They were arrested on September 18 and 19. The state is opposing bail.
Phineas Lubisi was previously charged with them, but received R10 000 bail last Monday.

Bruwer took to the stand on Friday to be cross-examined by the defence. His affidavit was presented by prosecutor Molatlhwa Mashuga on Thursday. It listed various reasons why each of the applicants should not be granted bail. Firstly, it was pointed out that rhino poaching was no longer only an environmental matter, but also a matter for state security.

“It is part of the constitutional responsibility to protect endangered species,” Bruwer’s statement read.




Claude Lubisi, Clyde Mnisi and Joseph Nyalunga in court.

According to Bruwer, Nyalunga has no respect for the judicial system and he has previous offences related to poaching as well as trading in endangered fauna species. He alleged that Nyalunga had dealings with the other accused in the case while on bail and that he also has an outstanding SARS obligation to the value of R21 million.
“He is a man of considerable means and can afford to forfeit bail,” Bruwer said and added that it is highly likely that he will commit a similar offence again.

Nyalunga’s legal representative, Hendrik Potgieter, denied all of this when reading Nyalunga’s affidavit earlier on Thursday.


In this affidavit, as part of his bail application, Nyalunga said he and his partner have four children for which they provide together and that he cannot do so when he is in custody.

https://lowvelder.co.za/454994/rhino-po ... continues/

Why do they always continue to postpone everything In this case it should not be very difficult to decide

Media Release: SANParks welcomes the arrest of eight poachers in the Kruger National Park

23 October 2018

The South African National Parks (SANParks) today, 23 October 2018, announced further poaching related successes wherein eight suspected rhino poachers were arrested yesterday during counter poaching operations inside the Kruger National Park (KNP). During the operations three heavy calibre hunting rifles, ammunition as well as various other poaching related equipment were recovered. The rhino poaching related arrests took place in three different sections of the KNP and were a joint effort by the SANParks Rangers, Special Rangers, K9 and Air support Units.

“KNP continues to experience a number of incursions and many other poaching related activities on daily basis. Our dedicated and committed anti-poaching teams, who are our ears and eyes in the bush are always out there to quickly respond. We call upon poachers to weigh the risks of getting caught and we assure them that the gap is closing in on them”, warned the KNP Managing Executive, Glenn Phillips.

SANParks remains committed to doing everything in its power to fight the scourge of poaching.

“Wildlife crime should not be tolerated and needs to be stopped; we therefore take this opportunity to urge community members to provide any information that may lead to the arrest and conviction of rhino poachers. The public can report criminal activities on either the KNP emergency numbers 013 735 0197 or 076 801 9679, Department of Environmental Affairs’ crime hotline 0800 205 005 or the SAPS number 10111”; concluded Phillips.

Issued by:
South African National Parks: Communications & Marketing Department – Kruger National Park.

Media Enquiries:
Isaac Phaahla
GM Communications and Marketing, KNP
Telephone: 013 735 4363, cell 083 673 6974
Email: Isaac.phaahla@sanparks.org

Well done to all

Good work. Now we hope the court will find them guilty

Bail hearing of alleged rhino poachers to continue this Friday
The case was postponed during the bail hearing last Friday.
3 mins ago


WHITE RIVER – The bail application of the six accused who are appearing on charges related to rhino poaching, continued last Friday.

Joseph Nyalunga (Big Joe), Petros Sidney Mabuza (Mr Big/Mshengu), Clyde Mnisi, who are allegedly high up in the rhino poaching ranks, as well as Claude Lubisi, Aretha Mhlanga and Rachel Qwebana, were arrested last month and their bail application started on October 8.

ALSO READ: Rhino poaching task force afraid as bail application continues

Phineas Lubisi was previously charged with them, but received bail of R10 000. The safety of witnesses, should the six get bail, came under scrutiny as investigating officer capt Leroy Bruwer was still on the stand.

The case was postponed to October 25 when the bail hearing is scheduled to continue.

https://lowvelder.co.za/456256/bail-hea ... ue-friday/

They seem to be nothing else but postponing Their bail application started on Oct. 8th