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The State closed its case on Tuesday against Anton Ras, the brother of Hugo Ras, the alleged mastermind behind a large-scale rhino poaching syndicate, following a more than a decade-long legal battle over allegations regarding rhino horns that the state claims he obtained in an irregular manner. Ras is facing six charges ranging from fraud, theft, the illegal transport of rhino horns and also that he contravened various provisions of the National Environmental Management and Biodiversity Act (Nemba).

The Skukuza regional court has sentenced Sifiso Mbuyane to 28 years in prison after he was found guilty on eight charges including killing two rhinos and illegally entering the Kruger National Park. The incident dates back to January 17, 2017, when park rangers heard gunshots while patrolling the Pretoriuskop section of the park, said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Monica Nyuswa.

A well-known suspected rhino poaching kingpin in Mkhuhlu, near Kruger National Park in Mpumalanga, Joseph "Big Joe" Nyalungu, has been shot dead in an apparent assassination. The incident took place on Saturday at the crossroad next to his business premises, said Mpumalanga police spokesperson Col Mavela Masondo. "Yes, I can confirm a prominent rhino poaching kingpin was shot today. I am going to the scene, and I will issue a statement in 30 minutes," said Masondo. It is alleged that Nyalungu was hit by multiple bullets fired by unknown gunmen.

The court has once again proved that those who illegally trade in exotic animals will feel the full brunt of the law. It ordered a vehicle which transported two pangolin skins forfeited to the State.

Limpopo game farmer Dawie Groenewald and his co-accused were arrested about 12 years ago on a multitude of rhino poaching-related charges, yet their criminal trial has yet to start.

Pretoria - Suspected game poachers now face losing the vehicles and firearms used in the act of shooting their prey.

Pretoria - More than a decade ago, Limpopo game farmer Dawie Groenewald and his co-accused were arrested on a multitude of rhino poaching-related charges, yet their criminal trial is yet to start - and a judge wants answers. Groenewald and his eight co-accused once again briefly appeared in the Gauteng High Court, Pretoria this week, and their case was postponed to March 1.

Namibia is in the process of establishing a special operations unit that will include the use of horses to help curb poaching, an ofcial said on Wednesday. According to Manie le Roux, who coordinates the K9 unit at the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, the mounted unit, which will have 12 horses and 14 members, will work together with the canine unit.