SAPS, SANDF & SANParks Employees Involved in Poaching

[Richprins]

Scumballs!

[Lisbeth]

Well-organized crooks

[Richprins]

Ex-game rangers sentenced to seven years for poaching-related offences
Ten others arrested in separate case
07 December 2022 - 16:20
Belinda Pheto
REPORTER
Two former game rangers have been sentenced to seven years' imprisonment for poaching-related offences. Stock photo.

The Skukuza regional court in Mpumalanga has convicted and sentenced two former game rangers to seven years' imprisonment for poaching-related offences.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said in February 2019 Hendrick Experience Silinda, 31, and Musa Mlambo, 38, were on duty when regional rangers received information on poachers about to enter the Kruger National Park with the assistance of the Skukuza rangers.


“They went to the camp where the two officials were deployed and started searching. They found Silinda and Mlambo in possession of a hunting rifle, ammunition, a silencer and three hunting knives,” said Nyuswa.

The pair pleaded not guilty and claimed they were framed.

“Prosecutor Lot Mgiba led evidence from the arresting officers, who testified about how they found the rifle hidden in their tent. The senior rangers also testified they confirmed the rifle did not belong to SANParks.”

The pair were convicted of possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm with a serial number obliterated, possession of ammunition and possession of hunting knives. They were sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment each.

The court ordered some of the sentences to run concurrently so the effective sentence is seven years' imprisonment each, Nyuswa said.

The NPA welcomed the convictions and sentence and hoped it would help fight poaching.

In a separate poaching-related case, relatives Chikwa David Maluleke, former field ranger Joyce Maluleke, 51, Stephinah Mbhombi, 52, Oters Maluleke, 27, Miyelani Maluleke, 29, and Nkhesane Maluleke, 22, were released on R5,000 bail each.

Thandi Makhuvele, 37, Alsina Mkhonto, 61, Ignatia Mnisi, 36 and Given Mzimba, 28, were remanded and their case postponed to December 8 for a formal bail hearing. They are relatives of field ranger Solly Ubisi.

Hawks Mpumalanga spokesperson Capt Dineo Sekgotodi said the they were arrested during a multidisciplinary takedown operation called “Blood Orange” in Mpumalanga, Gauteng and Limpopo last Friday.

Sekgotodi said the arrests followed an investigation which included their financial affairs.

“KPMG was co-opted to do the financial investigation of the money flow into accounts of the suspects. It is alleged the two main accused, who were arrested on April 24 2022 and charged with corruption, money laundering and fraud linked to wildlife trafficking, provided tactical information to rhino poaching syndicates in exchange for substantial sums of money transferred into the bank accounts of the family members who received gratification and benefited from the money,” Sekgotodi said.

The rangers are out on bail. Their case was postponed to January 27 for further investigation and to be joined by their family members.

Two suspects are still at large. “They will be traced and brought to book as the investigation continues,” she said.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Hawks investigating officer Col Danie Hall on 071-481-3281.

TimesLIVE
https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/sout ... -offences/

[Lisbeth]

The NPA welcomed the convictions and sentence and hoped it would help fight poaching.

That's what they always say, but the poaching does not seem to diminish

[Richprins]

SANParks to implement polygraph testing for rangers

21 December 2022 - 12:42
Orrin Singh Reporter


South African National Parks (SANParks) employees will soon be subject to polygraph testing to help combat rampant poaching. 

The SANParks board approved the testing policy on November 23. 

In a written parliamentary question, the DA’s Annerie Weber asked forestry, fisheries and the environment minister Barbara Creecy about the polygraph testing policy which was meant to be implemented in June. 


Creecy responded: “The SANParks polygraph testing policy was approved by the board on November 23. It is envisaged that the policy will be implemented in the fourth quarter of the 2022/2023 financial year. The polygraph testing standard operating procedure has also been developed to guide the implementation of the policy. A polygraph testing committee will be established to guide and advise on the implementation process.”

SANParks has been plagued with corrupt officials and field rangers. 

Earlier this month the Skukuza regional court in Mpumalanga convicted and sentenced former Skukuza game rangers Hendrick Experience Silinda, 31, and Musa Mlambo, 38, to seven years' imprisonment each for poaching-related offences.

https://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/sout ... r-rangers/

[Lisbeth]

When does the SA financial year start March the first? If so, the last trimester starts December the first 2023. A whole year to wait and in the meantime a lot of rhinos can be killed

Why did it not start in June

[Richprins]

[Lisbeth]

I looked it up. The financial year starts on the first of March

[Richprins]

Rogue Kruger National Park rangers: 14th suspect arrested for rhino poaching case



Nkateko Maluleke, has been charged for money laundering in connection with a case where Kruger National Park rangers provided information to assist rhino poachers. Picture: Hawks

Published Feb 7, 2023


Pretoria – Mpumalanga provincial head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber has welcomed the arrest of the 14th accused person, 24-year-old Nkateko Maluleke who was wanted in a case of money laundering, where field rangers allegedly provided tactical information to rhino poachers in the Kruger National Park.

Maluleke was not present during the arrest of other accused people from Maluleke and Lekhuleni families. Members of the two families were nabbed during a multi-disciplinary take-down operation executed in the early hours of December 2.


“Consequently, a warrant of arrest was issued against him,” said Mpumalanga spokesperson for the Hawks, Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi.

“Financial investigation revealed illicit money flow in and out of the accounts of the suspects. It is alleged that the Lekhulenis paid money into the accounts of the field ranger Maluleke and his family members as gratification for tactical information in Kruger National Park to assist poaching syndicates.”

Maluleke was arrested, charged and appeared before the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court last week, where he was released on R5 000 bail.
More on this

“He will be back in court on 15 February, 2023 to join other accused who were also given bail,” Sekgotodi said.

Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga Hawks chief, Gerber thanked the law enforcement team for their “magnificent effort” for the successful efforts in the operation dubbed “Blood Orange”.

In April, IOL reported that Kruger National Park field rangers – Daniel Chikwa Maluleke, 60, and Solly Ubisi, 56, were appearing before the Skukuza Magistrate’s Court, charged with corruption, money laundering and fraud linked to wildlife trafficking.

“The arrest follows a comprehensive investigation which included their financial affairs. It is alleged that the suspects provided tactical information to rhino poaching syndicates in exchange for large sums of money,” the Hawks said.

IOL

https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-co ... yQtEFWkHTY

[Lisbeth]

There are probably many more