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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 79
Saturday, 2 December 2023
Gaveni K 2023. Foreigner and local man arrested in possession of 18 kg elephant tusks.

A man was arrested alongside a foreigner, in the possession of elephant tusks weighing 18.7kg worth more than US$3 000. In a statement, police said Passivel Togara (47) and his accomplice were arrested by detectives who posed as buyers of the elephant tusks on 29 November 2023 in Katakura area, Rushinga.

Thursday, 30 November 2023
Gaveni K 2023. Two arrested in possession of elephant tusks and pangolin scales.

Two men were arrested in possession of two elephant tusks and five pangolin scales at Magunje Growth Point.

Friday, 10 November 2023
2023. Mt Darwin man caged 9 years for pangolin.

Tawanda Kakora of Nyamaropa Village in Mt Darwin will spend the next nine years in jail afer he was arrested while trying to sell a live pangolin. Kakora (34) of Nyamaradzo Village under Chief Nembire was sentenced to a mandatory nine-year jail term afer being convicted on charges of possession or selling a live pangolin. In passing sentence, Bindura magistrate Mrs Nomgugu Sibanda said there were no special circumstances warranting the court to be lenient. The prosecutor, Mr Carson Kundiona proved that on September 30, detectives from…

Tuesday, 24 October 2023
Ngwenya P 2023. Man arrested for possession of 22 kg of ivory.

A man was arrested for the possession of 22 kilograms of ivory, valued at approximately US$3 740.

Friday, 6 October 2023
Karengezeka Y 2023. Cop in trouble over US$ 15K pangolin skins.
Wednesday, 4 October 2023
Lupande F 2023. Live pangolin lands Mt Darwin man in trouble.
Wednesday, 20 September 2023
Gaveni K 2023. Five arrested for poaching.

Five men were arrested for poaching at Humani Ranch which led to the recovery of 15 kg of Impala meat and a live Pangolin. In a statement, police said: "The suspects are Peter Tendi (38), Innocent Manyezu (31), Michael Bishou (23), Hlanganayi Sithole (61)." The suspects were arrested on Monday following a tip-off. On 18/09/23, Police in Chipinge acted on received information and arrested Peter Tendi (38), Innocent Manyezu (31), Michael Bishou (23), Harunaishe Shuro (43), and Johnson Hlanganayi Sithole (61) in connection with poaching at Humani Ranch…

Thursday, 14 September 2023
Zhakata I, Freddy T 2023. Courts intensify fight against wildlife crimes.

The courts have intensified the fight to combat breaches of wildlife laws with the Harare Magistrates Court dedicating Court 5 to deal with such issues, acting Deputy Prosecutor General Mr Michael Reza said yesterday. He told the Zimbabwe Animal Law conference in Harare yesterday that since the beginning of the year, nine cases have been completed while 12 new cases have been recorded. From January 2020 to date, 45 cases involving breaches of the parks and wildlife law have been prosecuted at the Harare Magistrates Court, and Mr …

Wednesday, 26 July 2023
Ngwenya P 2023. Man caught skinning Impala.

A man was caught red handed skinning an Impala at Zambezi National Park in Victoria Falls and was arrested with 11 wire snares and carcases.

Wednesday, 26 July 2023
2023. Six suspected poachers arrested in Bulawayo and Vic Falls.

Six suspected poachers have been arrested in separate incidents in Bulawayo and Victoria Falls with the police recovering four ivory tusks and 10,5kg of kudu meat. The arrest comes afer the police declared war on poaching syndicates countrywide. In a statement, national police spokesperson Assistant Commissioner Paul Nyathi confirmed the arrests.

Sunday, 23 July 2023
Nekhoma L 2023. Trio arrested for poaching.

Three Victoria falls men have been arrested for poaching. They were found with 10,5 kilogrammes of kudu meat.

Thursday, 29 June 2023
2023. Suspected poachers remanded in custody.

Two suspected poachers believed to be part of a syndicate involved in wildlife crimes have been arrested in Chiredzi and police recovered pangolin scales, lion teeth and hyena teeth.

Monday, 19 June 2023
2023. Suspected ivory poachers in court.

Two suspected poachers who were selling four ivory tusks have appeared in court.

Saturday, 13 May 2023
Ndlovu B 2023. Pair nabbed with elephant tusks.

Two men in Victoria Falls, Matabeleland North province have been arrested after police found them with a pair of elephant tusks on Thursday.

Saturday, 1 April 2023
Mnindwa S 2023. Two arrested for ivory possession.

Police have arrested two Hwange men for unlawful possession of ivory. In a statement on twitter police wrote: "On 30/03/23, Police in Hwange acted on a tip-off and arrested Cephas Charumbira (40) and Dickson Munkombwa (45) for a case of unlawful possession of raw unmarked ivory without a permit. Detectives recovered four pieces of elephantivory measuring approximately 2x75cm, 1x15cm, and 1x10cm from the suspects."

Wednesday, 29 March 2023
Moyo-Ndlovu T 2023. Two arrested for possessing ivory.

Two Bulawayo men have been arrested for allegedly possessing ivory with a market value of over US$2 000.

Thursday, 16 February 2023
2023. Five arrested for possession of ivory.
Tuesday, 14 February 2023
Nyamukondiwa W 2023. 30 poachers arrested, 15 guns recovered in Kariba.
Monday, 23 January 2023
2023. Poachers from Mozambique handed 22 year jail sentences.

Court, to two Mozambican nationals convicted for rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park (KNP), after they had killed a rhino and were found in possession of its fresh horns four months ago. Lucky Shihlangu (33) and Sergio Mathebula (32) were found guilty, and sentenced to a total of 22 years but will serve 18 years effectively. They faced six charges related to the case and were found guilty on all six charges.

Wednesday, 11 January 2023
2023. Mass slaughter of elephants by armed poachers in South Africa requires national intervention.

The Pongola Lake in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), South Africa, has erupted into an elephant poaching 'slaughterhouse', says the DA, as it calls again for national intervention. "Armed groups of poachers have now completely laid siege to the eastern shores of the lake, with several elephant carcasses recently found while dozens of gunshots have also been reported in the region. “Guards near the eSwatini border have allegedly also come under attack and infrastructure damaged and torched by the armed gang."

Sunday, 20 November 2022
2022. Rhino poacher sentenced to 52 years in prison.

South African National Parks (SANParks) today welcomed the heavy sentencing of a rhino poacher by the Skukuza Regional Court, to a total of 52 years in prison for rhino poaching and related offences.

Tuesday, 8 November 2022
Munyoro F 2022. SA man cleared of rhino horn possession charges.

A South African immigrant Brent Johan Lunt was yesterday acquitted on charges involving possession of
four rhino horns worth US$240 000 without a licence after the High Court found merit in his application for
review of the trial court proceedings that put him on his defence even though the horns had not been proved

Friday, 23 September 2022
2022. CapeNature takes action after massive rise in succulent plant poaching in South Africa.

CapeNature is taking proactive steps to ensure the Western Cape's precious biodiversity is protected, following the shocking escalation in succulent and other plant poaching, which has seen hundreds of thousands of plants being stolen from South Africa. The poaching has increased hugely since 2018, with most of these plants being destined for the Asian market.

Tuesday, 16 August 2022
Magoronga M 2022. Man arrested after being found in possession of elephant tusk.

A Gokwe man has been nabbed after he was found in possession of an elephant tusk following a tip off by members of the public.

Tuesday, 9 August 2022
2022. Robber, poachers arrested.

In Victoria Falls, police have arrested Listed Munkuli (35), Kudakwashe Ndlovu (31), Darlington Moyo (35) and Simon Nyoni (45) for unlawful possession of ivory at Mhizha Turn-off in the Matsetsi area. Two elephant tasks totalling 4,28kg, 15 lion claws and four lion teeth were recovered from the suspects. In another case, police and Zimbabwe National Parks Management Authority rangers, acting on a tip-off, arrested Evidence Moyo (22) for poaching. The suspect trapped and killed a male buffalo in the bush near the Victoria Falls dump site.

Tuesday, 9 August 2022
2022. Trio intercepted with four pieces of ivory.

Two men from Zvishavane and their friend from Goromonzi appeared in court yesterday on allegations of illegally possessing four pieces of raw Ivory worth US$6 426 they intended to trade in Harare.

Wednesday, 18 May 2022
2022. DA to study elusive rhino poaching report as KZN killings soar to 108 so far this year.

Commissioned six years ago and kept under lock and key by the Office of the KZN Premier until now, the hidden report into rhino poaching in KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) has been partially released to the Democratic Alliance (DA) following extensive pressure. At last count, rhino poaching figures this year so far (just over four months) have surpassed the total for 2021, with 108 rhino killed by poachers for their horns which are smuggled to countries like China and Vietnam.

Wednesday, 4 May 2022
2022. Ivory poacher arrested in Gutu.

Another man has been arrested for illegal ivory dealing, being found trying to sell 21 pieces of ivory from his house in Gutu.

Tuesday, 3 May 2022
Baxter J 2022. 95 Rhinos poached in Hluhluwe-uMfolozi Park so far in 2022.

On April 1 the number of rhinos poached in Hluhluwe-uMfolozi Park, KwaZulu-Natal (KZN), since the 1st of January was 60. It's just one month later, and that already horrific number has shockingly jumped to 94 (actually 95, as of yesterday). Imagine how many rhinos will now not be born because of those that have been killed in Hluhluwe-uMfolozi just this year! Every rhino counts.

Tuesday, 3 May 2022
Muleya T 2022. Two Zimbabwe elephants poisoned by poachers.

Two elephants are suspected to have been killed by poisoning by poachers after they were found dead in the Sentinel Safaris area which is part of Zimbabwe’s component of the Greater Mapungubwe Trans-frontier Conservation Area (GMTCA). The mega-park is made up of communal lands and national parks from Botswana, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

Wednesday, 20 April 2022
Dube-Moyo Y 2022. Zim losing forex to poaching.

Community participation is key to reducing wildlife crimes amid concerns that the country is losing revenue as a result of poaching. Poachers kill elephants for their tusks and rhinos for their horns. The official value of ivory is US$250 per kilogramme yet poachers can sell it for as little as US$50 per kilogramme.

Thursday, 14 April 2022
Dembedza P 2022. Farmer appears in court for crocodile skin possession.

A 59-year-old Masvingo farmer yesterday appeared in court after he was found in possession of 52 crocodile skins worth US$78 000, without a licence.

Tuesday, 5 April 2022
2022. Rhino slaughter: As poaching escalates DA calls for secretive KZN Rhino Report to be shared.

At least 71 rhino have been poached this year alone in Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife parks, putting KZN on the road to the species facing extinction in the region within the next five years!

Saturday, 19 March 2022
2022. Rhino poacher in Kruger Park handed 53 years.

South African National Parks (SANParks) today, 19 March 2022, welcomed the sentence meted out by the Skukuza Regional Court to a man convicted on 12 counts associated with poaching. The accused, Mike Nyathi, a 39 year old Mozambican man with a South African citizenship, faced 14 charges relating to two separate cases of rhino poaching.

Thursday, 17 March 2022
2022. Suspected poacher shot dead.

A suspected poacher was shot and killed at Malilangwe Conservancy Trust in Chiredzi during a gunfight with game scouts on Saturday and while his two accomplices escaped the scouts did recover a rifle and ammunition.

Wednesday, 16 March 2022
Sibanda A 2022. Anti-poaching campaigns pay off in Hwange.

Poaching activities around Hwange National Park went down last year, thanks to the involvement of local communities in anti-poaching campaigns. Poaching remains one of the main threats to the survival of painted dogs found in the area. Covid-19 induced lockdowns worsened the situation over the past two years.

Thursday, 10 March 2022
Tsiko S 2022. Step up fight against wildlife crime.

There is an urgent need to step up the fight against wildlife crime and human-induced reduction of species, which have wide-ranging economic, environmental and social impacts in the country, Environment, Climate, Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Nqobizitha Mangaliso Ndhlovu says.

Thursday, 24 February 2022
Dube-Matutu S 2022. Man arrested after being found with elephant tusks.

A man has been arrested for unlawful possession of ivory after he was found with two elephant tusks. Police confirmed the arrest which occurred in Victoria Falls on February 21.

Thursday, 24 February 2022
2022. Police tail poaching syndicates.

Poaching syndicates have killed at least two rhinoceros this month and are suspected of moving around the country targeting the animals and cutting off their horns. The rhino is targeted for its horn in the underground, illegal wildlife markets, particularly in Asia, where dubious cultural beliefs drive demand. In the latest killing, police in Bikita discovered on Sunday a carcass of a white rhino buried in a pit in a bushy area with some body parts missing

Wednesday, 16 February 2022
Moyo-Ndlovu T 2022. Three men arrested for possession of lion skin.

Three Bulawayo men were on Tuesday arrested after police found them in possession of a lion skin which they had stashed inside a bag.

Friday, 4 February 2022
2022. Zimbabwe records progress against wildlife crimes.

There has been a great improvement in the handling of wildlife crimes in the country's courts of law following an accelerated mentorship drive for prosecutors and magistrates on the subject, a wildlife rights proponent has said.

Wednesday, 2 February 2022
Madzianike N 2022. Nurse aide fined for possession of leopard skin.

A nurse aide at Siyakobvu Hospital in Kariba was today fined $20 000 for possessing a leopard skin worth $2 308 400, which he was selling in Harare's Central Business District.

Tuesday, 1 February 2022
Munyoro F 2022. Two acquitted after being nabbed with rhino horns pieces.

A South African immigrant and a local man found in possession of four pieces of rhino horns worth US$240 000 without a licence have been acquitted after the High Court found that the prosecution failed to prove its case against them.

Tuesday, 1 February 2022
Madzianike N 2022. Nurse aide nabbed with leopard skin.

A nurse aide at Siyakobvu Hospital in Kariba appeared at the Harare Magistrates Court on allegations of possessing a leopard skin worth $2 308 400, which he was selling in Harare's Central Business District.

Tuesday, 25 January 2022
2022. Poachers in gun battle with police at farm.

Three youths had a running battle with three policemen who attempted to arrest them for poaching, Bulawayo Regional Court was told yesterday.

Tuesday, 18 January 2022
2022. 4 more arrested in crackdown on poaching.

Police in Chiredzi have arrested four suspected poachers and recovered five impala carcasses worth over
US$5 000 as they intensify their crackdown on poachers countrywide.

Tuesday, 11 January 2022
Mashonaland VM 2022. Treetop Security offcial arrested for poaching.

Police in Mashonaland East Province have arrested three suspects for poaching in Eldorado farm in Macheke.

Friday, 12 November 2021
2021. Duo in court over ivory.

Two men appeared in court today on allegations of illegally possessing elephant tusks worth US$2 497 they intended to trade in Harare's city centre. Nkululeko Chuma (40) and Tawenga Dandambira (40) appeared before Harare magistrate Mrs Tafadzwa Miti charged with unlawful possession of unmarked raw ivory.

Monday, 18 October 2021
2021. War on rhino poaching in Kruger: 4 Arrests, 1 Fatality, 1 Rhino Killed, 1 Suspect Sentenced to 19 Years.

Four suspected rhino poachers were arrested over the weekend (15-18 October) in the Kruger National Park, thanks to the brave efforts of members of the Rangers Corp, assisted by the K9 Unit and the Aviators of the Airwing. The arrests - as well as one fatality - took place in the Stolznek section of the Park, South African National Parks (SANParks) said in an announcement today.

Friday, 15 October 2021
Ncube L 2021. Suspended sentences for wire snare poachers.

Two Victoria Falls men, one of them a neighbourhood watch committee (NWC) member, have been fined $6 000 each for trapping animals with wire snares.

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