Nine arrested for wildlife crimes

ELLANIE SMIT

WINDHOEK



Nine suspects were arrested in connection with wildlife crimes and four new cases were registered last week.

Four of the suspects were arrested in connection with rhino poaching or trafficking, while one suspect was arrested and charged with elephant poaching.

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

A total of seven wildlife products were seized, which included a rhino horn, five elephant tusks and a pangolin skin.

At Katima Mulilo, a Namibian man was arrested on Friday and five elephant tusks were seized. Humphry Lusepani Simasiku was charged with contravening the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act.



Bribery

In another matter, accused rhino poacher Jackson Babi and one of his followers were arrested in Windhoek for the bribery of a police officer on Friday. A bribe of N$13 000 was allegedly offered to a police officer to testify in favour of Babi at his bail hearing.

Babi and Ananias Ananias were additionally charged with bribing a public officer under the Anti-Corruption Act and with defeating or obstructing the course of justice.

At Oshikango, four Namibian men were arrested on Friday for being in possession of a rhino horn and one vehicle was seized. Immanuel Musenge, Natnael Jonas Frans, Immanuel Shigweda and Jeremia Mukuve were all charged with contravening the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act and the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

In another matter at Mukwe, two men were arrested on Friday for being in possession of a pangolin skin. Steven Ghuwanga Kahengutji and Matheus Muyota were charged with contravening the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act.