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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 - 32 of 32
Monday, 1 July 2024
2024. Police nab two suspects in possession of Pangolins.

The Cullinan Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit successfully Dismantle Endangered Species Trafficking Operation. On Friday, 28 June 2024, the Cullinan STES unit conducted a successful undercover operation resulting in the arrest of two suspects for the possession of endangered species. The operation was initiated after receiving information that two pangolins were being offered for sale in Mabopane. The suspects aged 43 and 45 were arrested and four cell phones and two pangolins were seized. The pangolins were taken to the Johannesburg Wildlife Hospital for care.

Sunday, 10 September 2023
Muonwa J 2023. Pair busted selling elephant skin for US$1,500.

Two accused persons have appeared in court following their arrest by detectives for allegedly trying to unlawfully dispose off an elephant hide for US$1,500.

Tuesday, 25 July 2023
2023. 'Mistaken identity' led to rhino poaching 'kingpin' arrest.

Dumisani Gwala, who was in 2014 arrested on rhino poaching charges along with coaccused Wiseman Mageba and a third, since deceased accomplice, told Mtubatuba Regional Court that his arrest and charging following a sting operation was a case of mistaken identity.

Thursday, 4 May 2023
Zulu G 2023. Rhino poaching 'kingpin' trial: Magistrate cautions witness about speculation.

Day three of the rhino poaching trial involving alleged 'kingpin' Dumisani Gwala and his co-accused Wiseman Mageba is under way at Mtubatuba Regional Court, following cross-examination of the State witness yesterday (Wednesday). Magistrate Anand Maharaj, presiding over the case, on Wednesday cautioned State witness - former SAPS investigating officer of the case Jean Pierre van zyl Roux - about speculating about allegations that Gwala had the 'police in his pocket'.

Thursday, 4 May 2023
Zulu G 2023. Rhino poaching 'kingpin': Trial adjourned, accused's bail condition waived.

The rhino poaching trial in which Wiseman Mageba and Dumisani Gwala are co-accused was today (Thursday) adjourned to July owing to the State prosecutor’s unavailability because of a family tragedy.

Tuesday, 2 May 2023
Zulu G 2023. Mtubatuba rhino poaching accused plead not guilty.

Wiseman Mageba and his co-accused Dumisani Gwala have pleaded not guilty to rhino
poaching allegations in a case which resumed at Mtubatuba Regional Court today
(Tuesday). The pair face a combined 12 charges relating to the alleged illegal purchase and possession
of rhino horn, resisting arrest, and attempted murder.

Monday, 20 March 2023
Taylor D 2023. Chinese, South African 'mafia' decimating wildlife in Kruger National Park.

A new report from the European Union-funded international crime response group, Enact, says organized crime groups from South Africa and China - in collaboration with corrupt wildlife officials - are "decimating" big game animals in one of the world's premier game reserves. 

Tuesday, 14 March 2023
2023. Three nabbed for illegal possession of leopard skins.

Police has arrested three men for illegal possession of seven leopard skins in Victoria Falls.

Friday, 24 February 2023
Muonwa J 2023. Poacher in dock for shooting US$50K elephant.

A member of a poaching syndicate has appeared in court for allegedly gunning down a bull elephant valued at US$50 000.

Tuesday, 31 January 2023
2023. Wildlife poaching declines in Zimbabwe in 2022.

Zimbabwe recorded a decline in wildlife poaching last year as the nation’s anti-poaching activities continued to bear fruit, the spokesperson for the Zimbabwe National Parks and Wildlife Management Authority said Monday. A total of 36 key wildlife animals were poached in 2022, down from 42 in 2021, Tinashe Farawo said. Out of the 42 wild animals killed in 2021, 31 were elephants while rhinos totaled 11, including six white rhinos and five black ones, he said. Out of the 36 wild animals poached last year, 25 were elephants, seven rhinos and four lions, he said.

Sunday, 2 October 2022
2022. SA: Zimbabweans convicted of rhino poaching, illegal possession of arms.

South Africa: Six Zimbabwean nationals have been found guilty in the Makhanda High Court of conspiracy to commit rhino poaching and illegal possession of firearms. They’ll be back in court on the 4th of November for the start of sentencing proceedings. The court heard previously that information uncovered relating to the crimes of the accused dates back to before their arrest in 2018. It included the tracking of their cellphones which was later linked to rhino poaching incidents at Kragga Kamma and Shamwari Game Reserves.

Wednesday, 11 May 2022
Nyanhongo L 2022. 16-year-old boy arrested for poaching, caught with four impala, lion and Zebra meat.

A 16-year old Beitbridge boy has been arrested and is due to appear in court after he was caught in possession of snares and game meat. The boy was arrested together with one Freeman Moyo (38), and the two are being charged for contravening section 5 of Trapping of Animals Control Act.

Sunday, 8 May 2022
Head T 2022. KZN rhino poaching numbers already high for 2022.

According to Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife’s rhino poaching statistics available on the organisation’s website, a total of 99 have fallen victim to poachers this year.

Saturday, 7 May 2022
Katanda P 2022. Trio nabbed with 37 kilograms of ivory.

Three Harare men appeared in court charged with illegal possession of ivory after they were caught with 37kgs of elephant tasks.

Saturday, 26 March 2022
2022. SA: Zimbabwean jailed 10 years over pangolin.

Johannesburg: The Secunda regional court has sentenced a Zimbabwean national who was found in possession of a live pangolin to a 10-year jail term.

Monday, 28 February 2022
Muonwa J 2022. Poachers kill endangered white rhino.

A carcass of a white rhinoceros shot dead by poachers has been discovered in Bikita, Masvingo province, as wildlife poaching escalates in the country. The Zimbabwe Republic Police (ZRP) national spokesperson, assistant commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the discovery of the endangered animal's carcass made last Sunday.

Sunday, 26 September 2021
2021. Zim man jailed 2 years in Botswana for ivory possession.

A Zimbabwean man, who managed to get his lover off the hook after the pair was caught with two elephant tusks, has been jailed for two years in Botswana.

Saturday, 21 August 2021
Munhende L 2021. Zimbabwe - A major transit route for smuggling of critically endangered shell fish to China.

Investigations by the Centre for Natural Resource Governance (CNRG) have revealed Zimbabwe is now a major transit route for smuggling of valuable but critically endangered shell fish, abalone, to China and other countries.

Wednesday, 11 August 2021
2021. More than 1000 suspects nabbed for various criminal cases during joint operations.

On 4 August 2021 at about 08:00 a suspect was apprehended after he was found in possession of a pangolin at his farm house under Lephalale policing area.

Thursday, 15 July 2021
2021. Kwekwe python man arrested.

Polics in Kwekwe have confirmed the arrest of a 31-year-old man who allegedly stashed a two-metre long rock python in his vehicle.

Tuesday, 29 June 2021
2021. Zim man, lover arrested in Botswana for illegal ivory possession.

A Zimbabwean man, charged together with his girlfriend for unlawful possession of elephant tusks, has saved his co-accused from further legal woes after telling the court she knew nothing of the ivory.

Thursday, 22 April 2021
Muonwa J 2021. Court acquits villagers busted with US$1 400 Ivory.

A Karoi magistrate has cleared two Karoi villagers for charges of unlawful possession of raw ivory valued at US$1 467,10. Whynos Dzotso (23) and Knowledge Nyamukondiwa (25) who both reside under Chief Kazangarare, Karoi were this Tuesday acquitted by Magistrate Felix Chauromwe who made the ruling following the defence's application for discharge at the close of the state case.

Monday, 19 April 2021
2021. Dete man found with 7 ivory pieces.

A Dete man has been arrested after being found with seven elephant tusks. ZimParks rangers ambushed Delight Moyo of Dopota village after getting a tip-off by a ranger Phinos Mudenda that some people were in possession of ivory.

Wednesday, 10 March 2021
Muonwa J 2021. Elephant tusk lands Karoi villagers in trouble.

TWO Karoi villagers have been dragged to court for illegal possession of an elephant tusk valued at US$1 467,10.

Sunday, 24 January 2021
2021. Bulawayo man arrested after being caught with zebra skin.

Police in Bulawayo have arrested a 62-year-old man who was found in possession of a zebra skin and tail. Bulawayo provincial police spokesperson Inspector Abednico Ncube said Jabulani Sifelani, who is from the city's Nguboyenja high density suburb, was arrested in North End on Tuesday afternoon following a tip-off from members of the public.

Monday, 18 January 2021
2021. Three Bulawayo men arrested for ivory possession.

Police in Bulawayo last week arrested three men after they were found in possession of five pieces of ivory.

Wednesday, 18 November 2020
2020. Soldier arrested with two live pangolins.

Mutare: A local man together with a Zimbabwe National Army officer were arrested by police detectives from the Minerals Flora and Fauna unit after being found in possession of two live pangolins.

Sunday, 18 October 2020
2020. Elephants: 'My mission to stop poachers in Zimbabwe'.

"We've gone 12 months without an elephant being shot and killed by poachers at Mana Pools National Park, which is a huge result." For Nick Murray, a conservationist born in Pontypridd, this result has followed years of hard work. Nick now runs a conservation project with his wife Desiree covering the Lower Zambezi Valley of Zimbabwe, an area of 10,000 sq km (3,800 sq miles).

Friday, 14 August 2020
2020. Three in court after found in possession of US$11 395 ivory.

Three men suspected to be part of a poaching syndicate that has been illegally hunting elephants for their ivory at the Hwange National Park and Binga district both in Matabeleland North have been arrested after being found in possession of ivory worth US$11 395. Enos Mudenda (35) of Mankonkole village under Chief Saba in Binga, Joseph Ngwenya (32) of Siantele village in Chief Shana area in Hwange and Mark Sibanda (38) of Bulawayo’s Mahatshula suburb appeared before Hwange magistrate Sekai Chiwundura to answer to a charge of illegal possession of elephant ivory.

Thursday, 30 July 2020
Muonwa J 2020. Chinhoyi Trio arrested in a trap selling live pangolin.

Three local men, who allegedly tried to sell a live pangolin, appeared in court here Tuesday facing charges of illegal possession of an endangered species.

Wednesday, 17 June 2020
South African Police Service (SAPS) 2020. Media Statement - Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (HAWKS).

Northern Cape-The Hawks Serious Organised Crime Investigation has resulted in the arrest of a 48-year-old suspect for allegedly trading in a pangolin. The suspect who originates from Botswana was arrested on Tuesday after information surfaced that he intended selling a pangolin that is an endangered species. A sting operation resulted in the suspect being arrested after he was found in possession of the said pangolin.

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SA_2020-06_Services_SAPS.pdf 134.41 KB
Monday, 25 May 2020
Munhende L 2020. Spike in wildlife poaching as poachers take advantage of lockdown laxities.

Zimbabwe has realised a spike in wildlife poaching as the wildlife management authority has redirected efforts towards combating the spread of Covid-19 during the current lockdown period, a top lobby has said.

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