21 nabbed for wildlife crimes

Herma Prinsloo
ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK

Seven new wildlife crime cases have been reported recently, while 21 suspects were arrested. Seven suspects were arrested with regards to rhino poaching or trafficking cases and six were arrested for elephant poaching or trafficking.

The cases were reported from 5 to 12 December.

This is according to information received from the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry and the protected resources unit within the safety and security ministry.

At Oshikango, two Namibians and three Angolan nationals were arrested on 5 December for being in the possession of a pangolin skin. Jeremia Abraham, George Immanuel, Tomas Fonesca, Fullipe Buali and Shikha Clauda were all charged with illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products.

In another incident at Okakarara, five Namibians were arrested on 5 December for conspiring to hunt a rhino. A hunting rifle, 11 rounds of ammunition and a vehicle was also confiscated.

Patric Tjiposa, David Petrus, Kapenda Tjiposa, Puuta Muhenje and Gilberto Fortunato were charged for conspiring to hunt specially protected game, the illegal possession of a firearms without a licence and illegal possession of ammunition without a licence.

At Nkurenkuru, two Namibians were arrested on 6 December for being in the possession of nine duiker meat pieces. Elias Ntjamba and Hausiku Nehova were both charged for the illegal sale of game, game meat and skins of game.

Elephant tusks

In a separate incident at Swakopmund, Namibian Petrus Steenkamp was arrested on 9 December when found with four elephant tusks. A vehicle was also seized and he was charged for the illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products.

An Angolan national, Joao Kasanga, was arrested at Kahenge with two pangolin skins on 9 December. He was charged with the illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products.

In another incident at Rundu, five Namibians were arrested on 10 December with four elephant tusks. Two vehicles were also confiscated.

Theobald Shindimba, Bernard Kanyanga, Gustav Rumayi, Gabriel Namukuwa and Makanga Hausiku were all charged for the illegal possession and dealing of wildlife products.

Meanwhile, two Namibians were arrested on 12 December at Okahao in connection with an old case from October for poaching a rhino.

David Kashenye and Ruben David were charged with illegal hunting of specially protected game, illegal hunting in game parks and nature reserves and restrictions regarding entering game parks and nature reserves. They also face charges for conspiring to hunt specially protected game, illegal dealing of controlled wildlife products and acquisition, possession or use of proceeds of unlawful activities.

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Namibian Sun 2024-04-20

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