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MEDIA STATEMENT 29 MARCH 2012

STATEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ON THE ONGOING RHINO POACHING AND UPDATE ON INTERVENTIONS AIMED AT ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM.

The number of rhinos killed illegally in South Africa for this year now stands at the shocking number of 150. The Kruger National Park has suffered the greatest losses with the poaching toll having reached 87.

Read more: Rhino poaching figures now at 150!

MEDIA STATEMENT 29 MARCH 2012

STATEMENT BY THE DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS ON THE ONGOING RHINO POACHING AND UPDATE ON INTERVENTIONS AIMED AT ADDRESSING THE PROBLEM!

The number of rhinos killed illegally in South Africa for this year now stands at the shocking number of 150. The Kruger National Park has suffered the greatest losses with the poaching toll having reached 87.

The South African government continues to prioritise the illegal killing of rhinos. Our united approach has already seen 90 suspected poachers arrested this year.

In January, we indicated that the Department of Environmental Affairs will pursue a halt to the issuance of hunting permits to hunters coming from countries that do not have appropriate legislation to monitor whether the trophy is used for the purpose as reflected on the permits. In tandem with that decision and as part of our wider engagement with other countries, the Department of Environmental Affairs is in engagement with the Vietnamese Department of Agriculture and Rural Development on collaborations aimed at addressing the issue of hunting permits and measures to stop possible abuse of the system.

Read more: Statement from Dept Environmental Affairs

Poaching Suspect Nabbe. Alex Eliseev 27.03.2012 

Eyewitness News understands another suspect was arrested on Tuesday in connection with a rhino poaching syndicate which allegedly used so-called ‘legal hunts’ to cover up its activities.

The Thai national has allegedly been linked to Chumlong Lemtongthai and Marnus Steyl’s case. He will now be the fourth accused in the poaching syndicate case.

Read more: Another Thai Suspect arrested in Poaching Syndicate Case

Rhino ‘poacher’ a bad man.

March 26 2012 at 10:39am
By Yogas Nair     DAILY NEWS

The farmer believed to be behind a poaching syndicate in Northern KwaZulu- Natal, is a dangerous criminal who told a police agent he wanted to shoot someone in the head to see what it looked like.

So said Warrant Officer Jean-Pierre van Zyl-Roux, testifying in the Magudu Magistrate’s Court in a bail application. He said alleged syndicate leader Evert Potgieter, 34, also had links to corrupt cops.

He asked the court not to grant bail to Potgieter and three of his four alleged accomplices.

The five are facing charges of conspiracy to hunt 10 rhino and attempting to hunt rhino. Potgieter and his co-accused Riaan Vermaak, 32, a Newcastle farmer, face additional charges of possessing unlicensed firearms and ammunition and stolen property.

Potgieter and Vermaak, together with their alleged accomplices, Philomon Mbatha, 42 and brothers Dumisane, 30, and Nkosinathi Sithole, 32 – both security guards at the Mkuze Falls Private Game Reserve – were arrested three weeks ago during a sting operation when undercover police agents were taken to the reserve to poach 10 rhino.

Bail for Mbatha, who worked as a farm labourer for Potgieter was not opposed. The bail application was adjourned to Thursday.

Read more: Rhino ‘poacher’ a Bad Man

A moving tribute to Themba and the vet Dr Fowlds who tried for 24 days to save this amazing creature!