Search results

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 - 14 of 14
Tuesday, 25 April 2017
Smit E 2017. No jail for rhino-horn smuggler.

The Chinese man who smuggled 18 rhino horns through Hosea Kutako International Airport and was arrested in South Africa has been sentenced to a fine of R1.2 million or six years in prison. He paid the fine and will not spend any time in prison. Ye Zhiwei appeared before the Kempton Park Magistrate's Court last Wednesday.

Wednesday, 19 April 2017
Hartman A 2017. Three in dock over rhino horns.

A defence force member and two other men from Okahandja appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court yesterday on charges of possessing two rhino horns. The soldier, Petrus Mutako Damaseb (49), who is based at Okahandja, and Steven Omeb (29), appeared in court yesterday and were denied bail, while the third man was released due to lack of evidence linking him to the alleged crime.

Wednesday, 19 April 2017
2017. Rhino-horn suspects denied bail.

Two men accused of possession of a pair of rhino horns were denied bail by the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court yesterday. Petrus Mutako Damaseb, 49, and Isak Steven Omeb, 29, both from Okahandja, appeared before Magistrate John Sindano on charges under the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Act and the Possession of Controlled Wildlife Products Act.

Tuesday, 18 April 2017
Smith J-M 2017. Kandjii granted bail, remains behind bars.

Gerson Kandjii (51), who is facing multiple charges in four separate criminal cases, was granted N$2 500 bail by the Windhoek Regional court in Katutura on Wednesday. The bail was granted in a case of unlawful possession of a firearm and ammunition, in which he was arrested in December last year. Magistrate Johannes Shuveni postponed the case to 22 May.

Wednesday, 5 April 2017
Smit E 2017. Two Chinese granted bail.

An outdated law stipulating lenient sentences for wildlife smuggling has led to the granting of bail to two alleged rhino-horn smugglers. The two Chinese nationals who were arrested in January for possession of rhino horns worth more than N$400 000 were granted bail of N$300 000 each yesterday. Yonghui Lu, 41, and Nan Chen, 29, appeared before Magistrate Venessa Stanley in the Windhoek Magistrate's Court and the case was postponed to 21 June for further investigation.

Tuesday, 4 April 2017
Smit E 2017. Lifelong ban for poaching convicts.

Foreigners who are found guilty of wildlife crimes will not be allowed back in Namibia after completing their jail terms. This is but one of the amendments contained in the Controlled Wildlife Products and Trade Amendment Bill that was tabled in the National Assembly by the minister of environment and tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, last week. This will apply to foreigners who are found guilty of possession of, and dealing in, elephant and rhino products. Shifeta said a court order would be issued and the person would be declared persona non grata after serving his or…

Monday, 3 April 2017
Immanuel S 2017. N$25m or 20 years for illegal wildlife sales.

Anyone found illegally selling controlled wildlife will be fined N$25 million instead of the current N$20 000, while jail time which is five now goes up to 20 years.

Monday, 3 April 2017
Smith J-M 2017. Kandjii court cases continue: Gobabis poaching case postponed to May.

The poaching case against Gerson Kandjii (51) and four co-accused charged with killing rhinos on a Gobabis farm in December has been postponed to May. The five men remain in custody. Kandjii, a former Brave Warriors physiotherapist, made another appearance before the Gobabis Magistrate's Court on Friday on poaching charges, following three months behind bars after his arrest in late December.

Monday, 3 April 2017
Immanuel S 2017. N$25m or 20 years for illegal wildlife sales.

Anyone found illegally selling controlled wildlife will be fined N$25 million instead of the current N$20 000, while jail time which is five now goes up to 20 years.

Monday, 21 September 2015
2015. Chinese rhino poaching suspects in court.

Details about the origins of a rhino poaching syndicate and their modus operandi are emerging in a Namibian court case. By Oxpeckers Reporters in Windhoek.

Friday, 18 September 2015
Smit E 2015. Rhino case postponed over video.

The trial in which four Chinese nationals stand accused of trying to smuggle 14 rhino horns out of Namibia has been postponed until next month after the defence objected to the screening of video footage yesterday. Although the court was prepared and ready to view a video recording submitted by the State, the defence argued that the recording had no forensic significance.

Friday, 11 September 2015
Smit E 2015. Two more black rhinos slaughtered.

The slaughter of Namibia’s rhino population continues unabated, with two more black rhinos killed. The latest poaching of two black rhino bulls in the Epacha Game Reserve last month brought to more than 70 the number of rhinos killed in the country. The spokesperson of the Namibian Police, Deputy Commissioner Edwin Kanguatjivi, said the first rhino bull was found at Epacha Farm on August 23 with its horns still intact.

Monday, 7 September 2015
Nel M 2015. Chief row thwarts conservation dream.

Ecotourism plans for a community-owned game reserve bordering the Kruger National Park are being scuppered by political patronage and the ‘rule book’ in Pretoria. Story and photos by Michelle Nel.

Tuesday, 1 September 2015
2015. Tanzanian and Namibians arrested for rhino poaching.

Namibian Sun has reliably learned that the Swapo Politburo held a lengthy meeting yesterday afternoon after being served with founding affidavits by the so-called Swapo Four. Elijah Ngurare, Job Amupanda, George Kambala and Dimbulukeni Nauyoma, who were expelled from Swapo last month, are challenging the move in the High Court. According to unnamed sources, the option of an out-of-court settlement was considered at the meeting.

NOT FOUND WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR? AMEND YOUR SEARCH...