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Namibian Wildlife Crimes article archive

This archive of published media articles about wildlife crime in Namibia aims to:

  • provide easy public access to published information and statistics
  • enable easy stakeholder access to articles
  • provide a comprehensive archive of wildlife crime reporting in Namibia

Public access to information is a vital component of ensuring community engagement in prevalent issues. Wildlife crime is one of the pressing environmental issues of our time.

Wildlife crime investigations are generally covert operations requiring utmost confidentiality to succeed. Investigations and prosecutions in complex cases may take months or even years to complete. For this reason, the information that can be released to the public without compromising cases is often limited. Nonetheless, the Namibian government strives to share as much information as possible with the public.

The Namibian media has welcomed this approach and regularly publishes statistics and feature articles on wildlife crime. These are entered into the database at regular intervals, creating a comprehensive archive of wildlife crime reporting in Namibia.

Explore your search results using the filter checkboxes, or amend your search or start a new search.

Displaying results 1 - 50 of 66
Monday, 27 November 2023
Kooper L 2023. Zambezi police make another elephant tusk bust.

Zambezi regional police arrested two Zambian nationals for possession of 15 elephant tusks in the Kapani area of the Linyanti constituency on Sunday. The two Zambian nationals, aged 29 and 32, were part of a group of seven, however,

Tuesday, 9 May 2023
Kooper L 2023. Zambezi police searching for suspected hippo poachers at Kalimbeza.

The Zambezi regional police need the public's assistance to arrest the suspects behind the killing of a hippopotamus, valued at N$100 000. Speaking to The Namibian on Tuesday, police regional spokesperson inspector Kisco Sitali said they are investigating a case of hunting of a specially protected animal in the Sikunga conservancy, after a dead hippo was found floating in the Zambezi River near Mubala Lodge around 10H00 on Friday.

 

Monday, 13 March 2023
Kooper L 2023. Two hippos poached at Muyako, Zambezi.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry, and Tourism has launched an investigation into the poaching of two hippos in the Muyako area of the Zambezi region. This comes after the carcass of a hippo was on Sunday found by community members, who then alerted ministry officials Ministry spokesperson Romeo Muyunda on Monday said it is suspected that the hippo died as a result of a bullet wound, and that it was shot on Saturday night. He said this was the second hippo killed in the same way in the area this year, with the first incident reported in February.

Wednesday, 21 September 2022
Menges W 2022. PG revives wildlife crimes case.

A businessman whose case involving alleged wildlife crimes was struck off the court roll last week has been summoned to return to the Windhoek Regional Court on the same charges in November.

Friday, 16 September 2022
Menges W 2022. Accused man off hook on wildlife charges.

A Chinese businessman who has been facing charges of dealing in controlled wildlife products over the past eight years left the Windhoek Magistrate's Court as a free man yesterday, after his case was struck from the court roll. The state alleged that the five men illegally dealt in four elephant tusks in Windhoek on 11 June 2014.

Wednesday, 7 September 2022
Menges W 2022. Owners to lose cars over wildlife crimes.

The owners of two cars that were used to transport pangolin skins are set to lose their vehicles to the state, following an order given in the Windhoek High Court yesterday. In terms of an order given by judge Shafimana Ueitele, a Nissan NP200 bakkie and Nissan Tiida sedan seized by the police in the Grootfontein district four years ago have now been declared forfeited to the state.

Friday, 22 October 2021
Kooper L 2021. Elephant conservation efforts yield results, Shifeta.

Environment, forestry and tourism minister Pohamba Shifeta has revealed that Namibia's elephant population has grown to an estimated 23 736 since independence.

Monday, 3 May 2021
Menges W 2021. State gets luxury car in rhino case.

A Windhoek resident who admitted he possessed rhino horns in the city nearly five years ago suffered an expensive loss at the end of his trial in the Windhoek Regional Court on Friday, with a luxury vehicle which the police had seized from him declared forfeited to the state.

Wednesday, 3 March 2021
Kooper L 2021. Suspected poaching syndicate member denied bail.

Barks Sobozi (44) was arrested at Silonga after months of joint investigations by the Wildlife Protection Services (WPS) division of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, and the Namibian Defence Force. Sobozi is allegedly part of a transnational syndicate suspected of rhino poaching in the Botswana Delta.

Monday, 1 March 2021
Kooper L 2021. Man arrested for alleged illegal possession of lechwe carcasses.

A 59-year-old Namibian man was arrested on Friday for the alleged illegal possession of five lechwe carcasses in the Chikuzwe area of the Zambezi region. Zambezi's regional head of the police's protected resources unit, Morgan Saisai, told The Namibian today that after gathering intelligence, they set up a roadblock at Chikuzwe, which led to suspect's arrest.

Wednesday, 18 November 2020
Menges W 2020. Poacher's 30-year jail term cut on appeal.

The 30-year prison term of a cattle poacher, who successfully challenged the constitutionality of the severe sentences which were prescribed for stock thieves in Namibia, has been reduced to 12 years by the Supreme Court.

Monday, 9 November 2020
Menges W 2020. Preacher denies bribery charge.

An evangelical preacher who has been in jail since May after being arrested over the possession of rhino horns and the poaching of a rhino in the Gobabis district on Friday denied guilt on a charge of bribery in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court.

Tuesday, 25 August 2020
Kooper L 2020. Zambian nabbed for ivory, pangolin scales.

A twenty-year-old Zambian man was arrested on Sunday in the Zambezi region after he was found in possession of one elephant tusk and 81 pangolin scales.

Wednesday, 5 August 2020
Menges W 2020. Bail appeal fails in rhino horns case.

An Angolan teacher facing charges over the theft of 33 rhino horns during a burglary at Outjo last year was correctly refused bail by a magistrate in May, a High Court judge has ruled.

Monday, 27 July 2020
Menges W 2020. From The Courts ... Ex-magistrate lied at bail hearing.

A self-styled 'prophet' who has been in police custody for the past two months after being arrested on charges of rhino poaching and dealing in or possessing two rhino horns, is planning to apply for bail this week. Jackson Babi, who uses the title 'prophet' and is the founder of the House of Joy Ministries evangelical religious group in Windhoek, will launch a bail application in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court on Thursday, defence lawyer Kadhila Amoomo informed magistrate Linus Samunzala during a court appearance by Babi and a co-accused, Frizans Naululu Dumeni, on Friday…

Monday, 8 June 2020
Menges W 2020. Preacher questions rhino poaching arrest.

Religious preacher Jackson Babi, who is facing criminal charges after rhino horns were allegedly discovered in his house in Windhoek, is claiming the police's search of his home and also his second arrest last week were unlawful.

Tuesday, 2 June 2020
Menges W 2020. Preacher gets date for bail hearing.

A Windhoek-based preacher who was last week arrested after two rhino horns were allegedly found at his house is due to apply for bail in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court tomorrow.

Tuesday, 8 October 2019
Menges W 2019. No bail for alleged rhino poaching ring kingpin.

A business man based in northern Namibia who is charged over the poaching of two rhinos near Etosha National Park is facing an extended stay in jail, after his appeal against being denied bail failed in the Windhoek High Court last week.

Thursday, 15 August 2019
Kooper L 2019. Man nabbed for possession of elephant tusk, rhino horn .

A 31-Year-old Zambian man was arrested yesterday arrested at Mukuyu village after he was found in possession of one elephant tusk and a rhino horn.

Wednesday, 17 July 2019
Kooper L 2019. Two suspected poachers arrested in Zambezi region again.

Two men were arrested at Katima Mulilo in the Zambezi region on Wednesday after they were found in possession of four elephant tusks.

Tuesday, 16 July 2019
Kooper L 2019. Suspected poachers arrested in Zambezi region.

Two suspected poachers were arrested on Monday night after they were found in possession of a crocodile skin in Kongola area of the Zambezi region.

Friday, 3 May 2019
Kooper L 2019. Man denied bail for possession of six elephant tusks.

A man was denied bail on a charge of possession of six elephant tusks yesterday in the Katima Mulilo Magistrate's Court.

Friday, 3 May 2019
Menges W 2019. Pensioner fined over illegal wildlife products.

An elderly Chinese man who admitted that he had illegal wildlife products, including a rhinoceros horn, and a firearm in his possession at the start of last year was sentenced to pay fines totalling N$156 000 by the Windhoek Regional Court this week.

Monday, 25 March 2019
Kooper L 2019. Six in for possession of tusks, zebra skin.

Six suspected poachers were arrested in Zambezi region after they were found in possession of four elephant tusks, two elephant tails and one zebra skin yesterday.

Monday, 11 February 2019
Menges W 2019. Etosha poacher gets fines or eight years in jail.

A resident of the Kunene region whose attempt to poach a rhinoceros in Etosha National Park ended in the death of his partner in crime and his own arrest, was sentenced to an effective fine of N$34 000 or eight years' imprisonment on Friday.

Monday, 14 January 2019
Kooper L 2014. Two suspected zebra poachers arrested.

Two suspected poachers were arrested on Friday in the Zambezi region for being in possession of zebra meat without a permit.

Wednesday, 18 April 2018
Kooper L 2018. Suspected poacher killed by police.

Police in the Zambezi region are calling on community members who have a missing relative to come and identify the body of a suspected poacher who was killed during a chase over the weekend in the Bwabwata National Park. Zambezi regional police commissioner Karel Theron yesterday said the man was killed during a shoot-out between the police, members of the anti-poaching unit, and suspected poachers on Saturday.

Monday, 5 March 2018
Menges W 2018. Rhino horn charge could return after withdrawal.

A Chinese resident of Namibia who was charged with the illegal possession of two rhino horns early last year is off the hook - for now at least - after the charge against him was withdrawn in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court last week.

Thursday, 1 February 2018
Menges W 2018. Abalone charges withdrawn after Chinese man flees.

The charges against a Windhoek man who allegedly helped a Chinese national export abalone from Namibia two years ago were withdrawn in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court yesterday. With Chinese citizen Zhi Geng (38) absent from the court after he jumped bail last year, public prosecutor Tatelo Lusepani informed magistrate Gerrit van Pletzen yesterday that the state was provisionally withdrawing the charges against Geng's co-accused, Windhoek resident James Barron Wallace (49).

Wednesday, 10 January 2018
Kooper L 2018. Five suspected poachers denied bail.

Five suspects who were arrested last week for being in possession of four elephant tusks were denied bail in the Katima Mulilo Magisitrate's Court on Monday.

Monday, 8 January 2018
Kooper L 2018. Five suspected poachers arrested in Zambezi.

The police in the Zambezi region have arrested four Namibians and one Zambian suspect after they were allegedly found in possession of four elephant tusks on Friday.

Thursday, 6 July 2017
Menges W State takes bail money of fugitive Chinese.

The N$300 000 that was paid to get a Chinese national bailed out of jail following his arrest on a charge of possession of rhino horns early this year was declared finally forfeited to the state yesterday.

Monday, 26 June 2017
Menges W 2017. Arrest warrant issued in rhino horn case.

A Chinese man who was arrested and charged after the police found two rhinoceros horns at a rented flat in Windhoek early this year is now a fugitive from justice, having failed to attend a scheduled court appearance last week. With the 29-year-old Chen Nan absent from the Windhoek Magistrate's Court, where he was supposed to appear for the first time since being granted bail in April, magistrate Vanessa Stanley on Wednesday issued a warrant for his arrest, provisionally cancelled his bail and provisionally declared his bail deposit of N$300 000 forfeited to…

Wednesday, 25 January 2017
Menges W 2017. Rhino poached at game farm.

A rhinoceros cow was found poached at a game farm south of Otjiwarongo on Monday. The white rhino cow, named Maria, was found dead with a gunshot wound to her neck, game farm owner WP Barnard told The Namibian yesterday.

Wednesday, 25 January 2017
Menges W 2017. Ministry doubts poaching of rhino.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism has doubts whether a rhinoceros cow that was found dead at a game farm in the Otjiwarongo area on Monday was poached as initially thought.

Tuesday, 17 January 2017
Menges W 2017. Doubts raised over 'poaching' of rhino.

The Ministry of Environment and Tourism and the police have expressed doubts that a rhinoceros cow found dead at a game farm in the Otjiwarongo area on Monday was poached as initially thought.

Wednesday, 4 January 2017
Menges W 2015. Three charged over killing of rhinos.

Former Brave Warriors football team medic Gerson Kandjii and two other men arrested over the killing of two rhinoceroses at a farm in the Gobabis district shortly before Christmas are due to make a first appearance in the Gobabis Magistrate's Court early next week.

Thursday, 1 December 2016
Menges W 2016. Airport cop charged over rhino horns.

The arrest of a Chinese citizen who allegedly managed to smuggle 18 rhinoceros horns out of Namibia last week landed a member of the Namibian Police in the dock in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in Katutura yesterday.

Monday, 3 October 2016
Menges W 2016. Rhino horn smugglers want to appeal.

Four Chinese citizens sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment each in connection with an attempt to smuggle rhinoceros horns and a leopard skin out of Namibia in March 2014, will appeal against their conviction and sentences.

Friday, 30 September 2016
Menges W 2016. Rhino horn smugglers get 14 years in prison.

Four Chinese citizens convicted of having tried to smuggle 14 rhinoceros horns and a leopard skin out of Namibia in March 2014 were sentenced to 14 years' imprisonment each at the end of their trial today.

Tuesday, 27 September 2016
Menges W 2016. Poaching could wipe out rhino population.

Namibia could lose its entire rhinoceros population in the next 10 years if the rate at which poachers have been killing these endangered animals in recent years continues unchecked. Poachers have killed 201 rhinos in Namibia since 2011, and their crimes have not only had an environmental impact, but also an economic one.

Monday, 19 September 2016
Menges W 2016. Chinese men guilty over rhino horns in luggage.

The discovery of a hoard of rhino horns and a leopard skin in two suitcases at Hosea Kutako International Airport in March 2014 led to the conviction of four Chinese citizens on two criminal charges in the Windhoek Regional Court on Friday.

Friday, 16 September 2016
Menges W 2016. Chinese foursome convicted over rhino horns.

Four Chinese citizens who were accused of having tried to smuggle a hoard of rhino horns and one leopard skin out of Namibia in March 2014 were found guilty on two charges in the Windhoek Regional Court today.

Thursday, 1 September 2016
Menges W 2016. Chinese man fined over rhino horn in parcel.

A Chinese citizen who tried to send a piece of rhino horn out of Namibia in a parcel was sentenced to pay fines totalling N$40 000 or serve a two-year prison term yesterday.

Friday, 12 August 2016
Menges W 2016. Rhino horns foursome kept waiting for verdict.

The delivery of the verdict in the trial of four Chinese citizens charged with having tried to smuggle a hoard of rhino horns out of Namibia in March 2014, has again been postponed by a month.

Monday, 27 June 2016
Menges W 2016. Two granted bail in rhino horn case.

Two businessmen who spent a week in police custody after they were arrested in connection with an alleged attempt to sell four rhino horns, have been released on bail of N$50 000 each. Windhoek resident Tangi Sheefeni Amon Namwandi (32), who is also known as 'Mox', and Jairus Shaalukeni (32), who lives at Ongwediva, were granted bail when they made a second appearance in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court in Katutura on a charge of possessing or dealing in rhino horns on Thursday last week.

Monday, 23 May 2016
Menges W 2016. Verdict awaited in rhino horn smuggling trial.

Four Chinese citizens accused of having attempted to smuggle two suitcases filled with rhino horns and a leopard skin out of Namibia in March 2014, are due to hear the verdict in their trial next month.

Wednesday, 24 February 2016
Menges W 2016. Poca assets order against two abalone accused.

The prosecutor general has bank accounts and six cars belonging to a Chinese citizen and a Namibian man facing charges of possessing and trying to export the shellfish abalone from Namibia in her sights.

Thursday, 4 February 2016
Menges W 2016. Two charged over rhino horn and abalone.

The discovery of close to 100 kilogrammes of dried abalone and more than a kilogramme of rhino horn pieces in Windhoek this week landed a Chinese citizen and a Namibian man in the dock in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court yesterday.

Tuesday, 15 December 2015
Menges W 2015. Rhino horn trial moves on to defence case.

The trial of four Chinese citizens accused of having tried to smuggle two suitcases containing rhino horns out of Namibia in March last year is scheduled to continue in the Windhoek Regional Court next month.

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