Two foreign nationals accused of illegal possession of rhino horn were convicted and sentenced in the Kempton Park Regional Court end of July 2011.
1. Mr Duc Manh Chu, arrested at O.R. Tambo International Airport in June 2010 for illegally possessing twelve rhino horns. Magistrate Manyathi sentenced Mr Chu to ten years for the illegal possession of 12 horns and an additional two years for fraud. The full sentence is therefore 12 years imprisonment with no option of a fine. This is the highest penalty handed down for a biodiversity crime to date under NEMBA.
2. Mr Phi Hung Nguyeng was also arrested at O.R. Tambo International Airport in June 2010 for illegally possessing six rhino horns. Magistrate Manyathi sentenced Mr Nguyeng to six years for illegal possession of rhino horns; and an additional two years for fraud.
Under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NEMBA) the maximum penalty is 10 years imprisonment or a fine of R10 million, or both.
Magistrate Manyathi warned rhino poachers and rhino horn couriers that it made no difference whether they killed the rhino or carried the horns; the same penalty would be handed down in either case. He also stated that he did not want to one day “show his grandchildren pictures of rhinos because all the live animals had been killed by greedy people.”
Both men were arrested after scanner operators at O.R. Tambo International Airport detected suspicious objects in the mens’ luggage and alerted the South African Police Services.
Advocate Marilè van Heerden was the State Prosecutor, and Warrant Officer Liza Steyn the investigating officer.
Livingstones Supply Co. and The Endangered Wildlife Trust applauds the excellent work of all the officials involved in securing these convictions, from the baggage scanners, and the SAPS to the prosecutors and the magistrate. We recognise that conservationists are not just those lucky enough to work on game reserves, but includes all people who are committed to conserving our natural heritage and protecting our wildlife from illegal trade and poaching. South Africa has excellent environmental legislation and strong enforcement of these laws forms a critical component of a national conservation movement.
The Endangered Wildlife Trust (EWT) began actively addressing the poaching threat facing South Africa’s rhino population in 2010 through providing support to private rhino owners and assisting the law enforcement agencies with training and information gathering. In line with this, the EWT has published an information booklet, as a guide to help rhino owners and managers improve security on their properties in a way that is effective and affordable. To order a copy of the rhino booklet please contact Rynette Coetzee on rynettec@ewt.org.za or 011 327 3600.
Furthermore, the EWT, together with TRAFFIC - the wildlife trade monitoring network, presented a training programme for 23 members of various agencies involved with wildlife crime prevention that addressed aspects of environmental legislation, contraband detection and criminal procedures from the 18 – 22 July 2011. This reinforced the EWT’s commitment to fighting the battle against illegal wildlife trade by equipping officials with the necessary skills to enforce and uphold wildlife trade legislation. Training of this nature will be ongoing and will move to officials in other provinces in the next few months.
The rhino booklet was developed with the support of the South African Mint Company and the International Rhino Foundation, while the training programme was made possible through the support of SA Mint and SA Gold Exchange.
As an individual or organisation, you can show your support for the war against Rhino Poaching. Buy a simple beaded bracelet for R30 from Exclusive Books nationwide, or contact the EWT directly to order a box of 100 and show your solidarity against rhino poaching. This is one war we cannot afford to lose.
Story Courtesy of The Endagered Wildlife Trust:
Find out more about them on their blog http://endangeredwildlifetrust.wordpress.com/ or donate at www.ewt.org.za
Credits:
Photographs are courtesy of EWT
For More Info Email Nicola Vogel nicolav@ewt.org.za
