Namibians fill courts for wildlife crimes
A total of 33 court hearings on wildlife crime cases - involving 79 Namibians and seven foreigners - were held so far this month.
ELLANIE SMIT
WINDHOEK
Close to 80 Namibians appeared in court with regards to wildlife crime-related charges this month.
During the first three weeks of February, nine new wildlife crime cases were registered and suspects were arrested in connection with these crimes.
A total of 33 court hearings on wildlife crime cases were also held during this period, involving 79 Namibians and seven foreigners.
Five suspects were found guilty in three cases finalised before court during this period.
This is according to wildlife crime statistics reports compiled by the protective resource division within the safety and security division and the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry.
According to the statistics provided, during the three-week period, 17 wildlife products were confiscated.
Flamingo carcass
On 2 February, 39-year-old Namibian Moses Noariseb was arrested at Gobabis for being in the possession of warthog meat. He was charged for the illegal hunting of huntable game.
The following day, a 59-year-old Namibian Junias Nerie was arrested at Otavi and his firearm and vehicle were confiscated. He was charged with the possession and ammunition of a firearm without a licence.
At Ondangwa, 54-year-old Namibian Thomas Kondjeni was arrested on 6 February for being in possession of a full flamingo carcass. A shotgun and rifle were also seized. He was charged for illegal hunting of protected game and being in possession of a firearm without a licence.
On 7 February, two Namibians were arrested at Rundu with two python skins and two full ivory tusks. Kanyetu Hamutenya and Kashela Njamba were charged with illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products.
In a separate incident at Otjinene, 39-year-old Namibian Lukas Nambalu was arrested on 8 February with a python skin and charged for the illegal possession of controlled wildlife products.
Ivory
In another incident, Namibian Defie Kwara (45) was arrested on 9 February with a full buffalo carcass at Katima Mulilo and charged for illegally hunting huntable game, catching, capturing and killing of game and wild animals and hunting in game parks and nature reserves.
That same day, four Namibians were arrested at Okahao for being in the possession of six pieces of ivory. Beteul Halweendo, Tjiveze Turinao, Katavi Uaeterera and Tjirapa Mbemutiza were all charged for illegal hunting of specially protected game, illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products and attempting to conspire and induce another person to commit an offence.
On Valentine’s Day, 64-year-old Namibian Augistinus Luvengu was arrested at Ruacana with two elephant tusks and charged with illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products, while on 19 February a 25-year-old Namibian, Joseph Fernandu, was arrested at Tsumeb and charged with attempting to conspire and induce another person to commit an offence.
[email protected]
WINDHOEK
Close to 80 Namibians appeared in court with regards to wildlife crime-related charges this month.
During the first three weeks of February, nine new wildlife crime cases were registered and suspects were arrested in connection with these crimes.
A total of 33 court hearings on wildlife crime cases were also held during this period, involving 79 Namibians and seven foreigners.
Five suspects were found guilty in three cases finalised before court during this period.
This is according to wildlife crime statistics reports compiled by the protective resource division within the safety and security division and the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry.
According to the statistics provided, during the three-week period, 17 wildlife products were confiscated.
Flamingo carcass
On 2 February, 39-year-old Namibian Moses Noariseb was arrested at Gobabis for being in the possession of warthog meat. He was charged for the illegal hunting of huntable game.
The following day, a 59-year-old Namibian Junias Nerie was arrested at Otavi and his firearm and vehicle were confiscated. He was charged with the possession and ammunition of a firearm without a licence.
At Ondangwa, 54-year-old Namibian Thomas Kondjeni was arrested on 6 February for being in possession of a full flamingo carcass. A shotgun and rifle were also seized. He was charged for illegal hunting of protected game and being in possession of a firearm without a licence.
On 7 February, two Namibians were arrested at Rundu with two python skins and two full ivory tusks. Kanyetu Hamutenya and Kashela Njamba were charged with illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products.
In a separate incident at Otjinene, 39-year-old Namibian Lukas Nambalu was arrested on 8 February with a python skin and charged for the illegal possession of controlled wildlife products.
Ivory
In another incident, Namibian Defie Kwara (45) was arrested on 9 February with a full buffalo carcass at Katima Mulilo and charged for illegally hunting huntable game, catching, capturing and killing of game and wild animals and hunting in game parks and nature reserves.
That same day, four Namibians were arrested at Okahao for being in the possession of six pieces of ivory. Beteul Halweendo, Tjiveze Turinao, Katavi Uaeterera and Tjirapa Mbemutiza were all charged for illegal hunting of specially protected game, illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products and attempting to conspire and induce another person to commit an offence.
On Valentine’s Day, 64-year-old Namibian Augistinus Luvengu was arrested at Ruacana with two elephant tusks and charged with illegal possession and dealing of controlled wildlife products, while on 19 February a 25-year-old Namibian, Joseph Fernandu, was arrested at Tsumeb and charged with attempting to conspire and induce another person to commit an offence.
[email protected]
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