Eight arrested for wildlife crimes

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



Eight suspects were arrested last week in connection with five wildlife crime cases, in which nine wildlife products were seized.

This is according to statistics provided by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment and forestry ministry and the protected resources division within the safety and security ministry.

On 12 April, Haita Paulus Tjambiru was arrested at Orupembe in connection with an old case dating back to October 2015 in which a rhino was illegally hunted. He was charged with contravening the Nature Conservation Ordinance.

In another incident at Ondangwa on 13 April, Phillipus Alfeus was arrested for being in possession of two python skins. He was charged with the illegal possession of controlled wildlife products and illegal possession of raw skins of protected game.

At Okahao, two Angolans and one Namibian were arrested on 13 April when they were found with a giraffe carcass. One hunting rifle, two shotguns and 18 rounds of ammunition were confiscated.

Abed Joseph, John Mantilamena and Victory Andreas were all charged with illegal hunting of protected game, illegal possession of arms and ammunition without a licence, and defeating the course of justice. The two Angolans were also charged for failure to present themselves to an immigration officer before entering Namibia.

In a separate incident at Grootfontein, Frans Lamek Tjihinga was arrested on 15 April for being in possession of a pangolin skin. He was charged with illegal possession of and dealing in controlled wildlife products. Two Namibians were arrested on 18 April at Rundu when they were found with four python skins and one spotted genet skin. They have been charged with illegal possession of controlled wildlife products.