13 arrested for wildlife crimes (Namibia)

By February 29, 2020Anti-poaching
Ellanie Smit, The Namibian Sun | February 27, 2020

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Thirteen suspects were arrested recently in connection with wildlife crimes, while five new cases were opened.

According to statistics released by the intelligence and investigation unit within the environment ministry and the protected resources division in the safety and security ministry, a total of three illegal wildlife products were also seized.

These included two rhino horns and one rock monitor lizard.

Of the 13 suspects arrested, nine were apprehended in connection with rhino poaching nd/or trafficking cases.

Other items that were seized during operations included five firearms, 58 rounds of ammunition and one vehicle.

A Namibian, Simeon Tulinane Nangolo, was arrested on 15 February in Klein Windhoek for housebreaking and the theft of rhino horns.

In another incident at Okahandja, Sylvanus Fimanekeinge Shikambe was arrested on 18 February in connection with an old case of conspiring to hunt a rhino.

Meanwhile at Okahao, three Namibian men were also arrested on 18 February for being in the possession of two rhino horns, while two hunting rifles, 30 rounds of ammunition and a vehicle were also seized.

Festus Simon, Johannes Kefas Valombola and Efriam Thikameni Malakiawere charged for contravening the nature conservation ordinance and illegally hunting a rhino, trespassing in a game park, being in possession of a firearm without a licence and unauthorised arms or ammunition. They were also charged for illegally hunting a rhino.

At Kahenge, two Namibians were arrested for being in possession of a rock lizard on 19 February. Joseph Nekome and Mpepo Thomas Mauze were charged with illegally hunting a protected species.

In another incident at Otjomuise, two Namibian men were also arrested on 19 February for being in possession of a firearm without a licence. Job Kapapi Katareko and Gabriel Upas were found with a hunting rifle.

At Okahao, Johannes Kefas was arrested on 20 February for illegally being in the possession of one hunting rifle and 11 rounds of ammunition, while Paulus Uusiku and Johannes Titus Endjala were also arrested that same day at Okahao for illegally being in the possession of a hunting rifle and 17 rounds of ammunition. The three men are all Namibians.

In another incident on 20 February at Werda, a Namibian, Rutombe Hepute, was arrested in connection with an old case of conspiring to hunt a rhino.