23 arrested for wildlife crimes

ELLANIE SMIT WINDHOEKFrom 15 to 24 October, 23 suspects have been arrested in connection with wildlife crimes. Nine new cases have been reported to the police, and 14 illegal wildlife products were confiscated from the suspects.This is according to the wildlife crime report compiled by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry and the protected resources division within the safety and security ministry. According to the report, three Namibians were arrested on 15 October at Katima Mulilo for being in the possession of a live pangolin. Chika Ilukena and Mayuni and Nicky Mundia were charged with illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products.At Witvlei, three Namibians were arrested on 16 October when they were caught with an oryx carcass. Alberto Beukes, Kutah Samuel and Ferdinand Oabeb were charged with the illegal hunting of huntable game. PangolinsIn another incident at Outapi, four Namibians and an Angolan national were arrested on 18 October for being in possession of a live pangolin.Frans Haishonga, Naule Muramba, Salvador Shilomboleni, Daniel Muule and Willem Halukonga were charged with illegal hunting of protected game and importing of wild animals without a permit from the environment ministry.They also face charges of illegal possession of controlled wildlife products, disguising unlawful property and assisting another person to benefit from the proceeds of unlawful activities.The Angolan national was also charged for failure to present himself to the immigration officer before entering Namibia.Meanwhile, in Katutura, Martin Kapia was arrested when he was found in possession of a pangolin skin on 18 October. He has been charged with the illegal possession of controlled wildlife products. HyenasIn a separate incident at Okahao, two Namibians were arrested on 18 October in connection with an old case dating back to September. Fillemon Ekandjo and Junias Ndategelela were charged with conspiracy and inducing another person to commit an offence, illegal hunting on state land, capturing and killing of wild animals without a permit and using a motor vehicle to hunt, capture and kill wild animals without a permit.Two spotted hyenas, two shotguns and 12 rounds of ammunition were confiscated from them in September.In the Ndiyona constituency in the Kavango East Region, a Namibian, Samuel Johannes, was arrested on 19 October for being in possession of a pangolin skin and charged with the illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products.IvoryIn another incident at Omakange, two Namibians were arrested on 19 October when they were caught with two elephant tusks. Tjipjueja Herunga and Eino Jeetheni have both been charged with the illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products.At Witvlei, Steve Ruben and Mahomed Thekwane were arrested on 20 October when they were found with a waterbuck carcass in their vehicle.At Rundu, two Namibians and a Zimbabwean national were arrested on 21 October when they were found with two pangolin skins, a lion skin and a skunk skin. Fabianus Ntjinano, Kazumba Hingura and Dube Vuthana were charged with illegal possession of controlled wildlife products.Lastly in Katima Mulilo, a Namibian, Kasiki Lulatelo, was arrested on 24 October for being in possession of a live pangolin and a pangolin skin. He was charged with illegal possession of controlled wildlife products. ellanie@namibiansun.com

23 arrested for wildlife crimes

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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23 arrested for wildlife crimes

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Namibian Sun 2025-07-03

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