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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.

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Displaying results 1 - 50 of 50
Friday, 31 March 2023
Ngema T 2023. Good Samaritan to the rescue after confiscating a poached grey duiker.

Durban - A Good Samaritan came to the rescue of a poached duiker when he confiscated the animal from its poacher. The Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife (Crow) reported that on Sunday it received a call from a concerned member of the public from Hammarsdale, who informed them that he had confiscated a male grey duiker as it was a victim of poaching.

Friday, 31 March 2023
2023. NSPCA removes 3 illegally kept lions in Randfontein, person could face fine of R10m.

Durban - A Randfontein homeowner who was charged with illegally keeping three lions on his property could face jail time or a fine of up to R10 million. The NSPCA said they been contacted by the Gauteng Department of Agriculture and Rural Development (GDARD) regarding the illegal possession and captivity of three lions at a property in Randfontein. Keshvi Nair, NSPCA public relations officer, said they and Randwest SPCA carried out an inspection at the property on March 22. A joint operation between the NSPCA, Randwest SPCA, Isindile Big Cat and Predator…

Thursday, 30 March 2023
Ndeyanale E 2023. I can't guarantee you will leave Etosha alive.

Oshana police commissioner Naftal Sakaria says armed poachers found in the Etosha National Park should surrender to the police or they will be shot. Police inspector general Joseph Shikongo last week appointed Sakaria as the commander of the anti-poaching unit in Etosha National Park for a period of six months. While in this position, he will also remain the Oshana regional commander. Sakaria is tasked with commanding the police and military forces deployed in the flagship park to protect animals, especially iconic animals such elephants and rhinos, from being poached.

Thursday, 30 March 2023
David M 2023. No more poaching in Etosha, says Sakaria.

Commissioner Naftal Lungameni Sakaria, the Oshana Regional Police Commander, was recently named the Gold Commander for the Etosha National Park Anti-poaching Safety and Security squad. Sakaria was named on March 23 and will, for the next six months, be in charge of directing the joint Nampol/NDF operational work in the Etosha National Park. He said that he will concurrently be in charge of the Oshana Region and also the anti-poaching operations in Etosha. "I have already been to Etosha, rotated the personnel and properly briefed them," he said.

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.

Wednesday, 29 March 2023
Oguntona K 2023. Seven suspected poachers arrested in Oyo.

Protection of the rich, floral, fauna and archaeological resources of the Old Oyo National Park would be continually pursued in order to make it a masterpiece among other national parks in the country. It is against this backdrop that illegal activities of hunting, fishing, mining and cattle grazing identified as a menace, are currently being tackled headlong by the park authorities. The Conservator of Park, CP, Old Oyo National Park, Mr. Teslim Adeniyi - Kareem made this known while parading seven suspects recently arrested for various poaching activities in the park.

Tuesday, 28 March 2023
Manyinyire T 2023. Private rangers recover 24 pangolins, 118 elephant tusks from poachers.

Akashinga rangers, domiciled in Zimbabwe's Zambezi Valley have recovered 24 pangolins and 118 elephant tusks from raids on poachers since last year in Mashonaland West.

Monday, 27 March 2023
Jindanji G 2023. Angolan authorities arrest two suspected suspected elephant poachers.

Angola's Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) in Bengo Province bordering the capital city Luanda, detained two poachers for killing an elephant in the municipality of Pango Aluquém. The detention took place this Monday due to complaints from people who saw the accused consuming and selling meat from the great mammal. The two, José Sebastião and Malambo Castro, aged 28 and 30, respectively, countered the accusations by saying that they found the animal already dead and that they only enjoyed the meat and ivory in the company of other people from their community.

Monday, 27 March 2023
Melapi S 2023. Abalone poachers plead guilty in Cape Town Magistrate's Court.

Cape Town - Four men from Milnerton pleaded guilty and were sentenced following their arrest for the possession of abalone valued at more than R4.8 million.

Friday, 24 March 2023
Terblanché N 2023. Pangolin skin lands two in jail.

An intelligence-driven operation earlier this week led to the arrest in the Oshikoto Region of two residents of Windhoek who stand accused of trading in controlled wildlife products. According to a report about the arrest, provided by the commander of the Namibian Police in Oshikoto Region, Commissioner Teopoline Kalompo-Nashikaku, information received by investigators suggested that the two suspects were on their way to the south after completing a transaction where they were seen selling a pangolin skin.

Friday, 24 March 2023
Keppler-Young V 2023. Police confiscate bags full of abalone worth over R1 million.

Police arrested 26-year-old man on the N6 Road with 16 refuse bags filled with abalone.

Thursday, 23 March 2023
David M 2023. Two arrested for alleged possession of a pangolin skin.

Two people were detained Wednesday after they were found in possession of a skin of a pangolin which is a protected species. The two were apprehended at a temporary roadblock on the Omuthiya-Ondangwa main road. They are both from Windhoek. According to the regional commander of the police in Oshikoto, Commissioner Teopolina Kalompo-Nashikaku, the skin is valued N$50 000.

Tuesday, 21 March 2023
2023. Luanda: SIC detém caçador furtivo que se instalou no Parque Nacional da Quissama e vivia da venda dos animais que abatia.

O Serviço de Investigação Criminal deteve um caçador furtivo que se tinha instalado no Parque Nacional da Quissama e abatia animais como elefantes e gazelas, que depois comercializava no mercado informal da Mutamba, em Luanda.

Luanda: SIC detains poachers who settled in the Quissama National Park and lived off the sale of the animals they slaughtered The Criminal Investigation Service detained a poacher who had settled in the Quissama National Park and killed animals such as elephants and gazelles, which he then sold at the informal market of Mutamba, in Luanda.

Tuesday, 21 March 2023
Mmana FB 2023. NWDC chairman in poaching charges.

Nearly three years ago, North West District Council Chairman, Kebareeditse Ntsogotho was badly injured during an encounter with a buffalo just outside his home village, Khwai. Last week he, along with six other men from his village- including Deputy Chairman of Khwai Development Trust, Paul Mothathobi were summoned before Maun magistrates court charged with poaching.

Tuesday, 21 March 2023
Rogers G 2023. Wilderness Foundation offers reward to stop Eastern Cape rhino poaching.

The Wilderness Foundation has offered a reward in an effort to put the brakes on the recent spate of rhino poaching in the Eastern Cape.

Monday, 20 March 2023
2023. Vietnam seizes 7 tonnes ivory in largest wildlife smuggling case in years.

Vietnamese authorities on Monday seized seven tonnes of ivory smuggled from Angola, the largest seizure of wildlife products in years, the government said.

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. 

Monday, 20 March 2023
Maromo J 2023. Woman rhino poacher jailed for 16 years.

Pretoria - A woman involved in rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park was on Friday jailed for 16 years by the Skukuza Regional Court.

Monday, 20 March 2023
2023. 548 rhinos poached in 2022.

The latest reports from national governments and agencies reveal (so far) that approximately 548 rhinos were poached in Africa last year. Overall, the total is a slight increase compared to 2021, when 539 rhinos were poached. This is a significant change from 2013 - 2017, when more than 1,000 rhinos were killed each year, yet it’s still dangerously high. On average, one rhino is still poached every 16 hours. Most of the rhinos poached last year were killed in Namibia and South Africa. In both countries, poachers have shifted their focus to new places.

Friday, 17 March 2023
Hattingh E 2023. Zwei "Nashorn-Wilderer" festgenommen.

Zwei Männer wurden gestern gegen 09:00 Uhr in der Region Dordabis festgenommen, nachdem sie auf einer Farm zwei Spitzmaulnashörner, eine Kuh und ein Kalb, gewildert haben sollen. Die Verdächtigen waren im Besitz eines Jagdgewehrs und von 15 Kugeln, von denen drei bereits verwendet worden waren. Außerdem wurden zwei Nashornhörner gefunden. Die Nashörner haben einen Wert von jeweils rund 500 000 N$. Die Männer wurden wegen verschiedener Vergehen angeklagt, unter anderem wegen der Jagd auf geschützte Wildtiere und des Besitzes von nicht zugelassenen Waffen.

Friday, 17 March 2023
Hattingh E 2023. Twee 'renosterstropers' aangekeer.

Twee mans is gister omstreeks 09:00 in die Dordabis-omgewing in hegtenis geneem nadat hulle glo twee swartrenosters, ‘n koei en ‘n kalf, op ‘n plaas doodgeskiet het. Die verdagtes het ‘n jaggeweer in hul besit gehad, asook 15 koeëls, waarvan drie reeds gebruik is. Twee renosterhorings is ook gevind. Die waarde van die renosters is sowat N$500 000 per renoster. Die mans is aangekla vir verskeie oortredings, insluitende vir die jag van beskermde wild en omdat hulle in besit was van ongelisensieërde wapens. Die polisie se ondersoek duur voort.

Friday, 17 March 2023
Hattingh E 2023. Two 'rhino poachers' apprehended.

Two men were arrested yesterday around 09:00 in the Dordabis area after they allegedly poached two black rhinos, a cow and a calf, on a farm. The suspects had a hunting rifle in their possession, as well as 15 bullets, of which three had already been used. Two rhino horns were also found. The rhinos are valued at around N$500 000 each. The men were charged with various offences, including hunting protected wildlife and being in possession of unlicensed weapons. Police investigations continue.

Friday, 17 March 2023
2023. Two rhinos shot and poached in Dordabis.

The Namibian Police have arrested two men, aged 47 and 27, who allegedly shot and killed two black rhinos (a cow and a calf) on a farm in the Dordabis area, Khomas Region. According to Chief Inspector Elifas Kuwinga, spokesperson of the Namibian Police, the incident happened on Thursday, 16 March 2023, at about 09:00. It is alleged that the two suspects shot and killed two rhinos and were also found with a 375-calibre firearm, with 13 live cartridges and three spent cartridges. The rhinos are worth N$500 000 each. Two rhino horns were also found at the scene.

Friday, 17 March 2023
2023. Wildlife security guard killed two rhinos, then his accomplice to avoid sharing R1million loot.

The High Court in Polokwane has convicted and sentenced 36- year-old Bethuel Mdubane to 24 years effective imprisonment for an assortment of crimes including murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, and hunting and shooting two rhinos. Additionally, Mdubane was also sentenced for unlawful possession of stolen car, two counts of possession of ammunition, and three counts of unlawful possession of prohibited firearms.

Wednesday, 15 March 2023
2023. Man arrested for keeping lions on plot without permit.

A man was arrested for keeping lions on a plot in Dennydale Agricultural Holdings. Police arrested a 43-year-old man after he was found in possession of three lions, without a valid permit, on a plot in Dennydale Agricultural Holdings. Randfontein police spokesperson Sergeant Carmen Hendricks said police officers were acting on a tip-off when they made the arrests.

Tuesday, 14 March 2023
2023. Hippo poached at Zambezi.

The Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism yesterday said they responded to a report about a Hippo that was found dead in the Muyako area, in a purported poaching incident. The Ministry's Spokesperson Romeo Muyunda said that upon close inspection by staff members, it was found that the hippo had a bullet wound, adding that it was poached the previous night. "When the team arrived, community members had already gathered in anticipation for the meat distribution exercise.

Tuesday, 14 March 2023
2023. 3 suspected poachers arrested with 6 elephant tusks in northern Tanzania.

Three suspected poachers have been detained by Tanzanian police after they were found in possession of six elephant tusks in the country's northern region of Manyara, police said on Saturday.

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.

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.

Monday, 13 March 2023
2023. Man arrested with 2 rhino horns.

Last week, the South African Police Service in Piet Retief achieved a commendable result by arresting a 27-year-old man in possession of two rhino horns. The arrest came after members of the public brought information about the suspect’s alleged dealings to the attention of the police. Upon searching his vehicle, the police found two rhino horns hidden inside the bonnet and wrapped with black plastic. The fact that the local community is speaking out against wildlife crime is also a positive development.

Sunday, 29 September 2019
2019. Man vas oor lewende ietermagô.

'n Man is Donderdag by 'n vulstasie op Okahandja glo met 'n lewende ietermagô in sy besit in hegtenis geneem.

Monday, 23 September 2019
Louw L 2019. Vermeende ivoorsmokkelaars kry borg - Streng voorwaardes geld.

Die drie vermeende ivoorsmokkelaars, mnre. Dirk Vermeulen, Edgar Clark en Michael Lusse, is Vrydag in die Walvisbaaise landdroshof op borgtog van N$30 000 elk vrygelaat.

Monday, 23 September 2019
Steynberg F 2019. Geen borg vir vermeende horingdiewe.

Die eienaar van ’n wildsplaas op Outjo, waar 34 renosterhorings in Augustus uit ’n instapkluis gesteel is, is verheug twee verdagtes is in hegtenis geneem.

Monday, 23 September 2019
Terblanché N 2019. Outjo rhino horn thieves denied bail.

The arrest of more suspects connected to the theft of 34 rhino horns from a safe in a house in Outjo might follow after two men, Hofan Amakali and Elias Mutwikange, were denied bail after their first appearance in the town’s Magistrate’s Court on Friday. Inspector Maurene Mbeha, spokesperson of the Namibian Police in the Otjozondjupa Region, confirmed the arrest of Amakali and Mutwikange in the middle of last week.

Monday, 23 September 2019
Louw L 2019. Vermeende ivoorsmokkelaars kry borg.

Die drie vermeende ivoorsmokkelaars, mnre. Dirk Vermeulen, Edgar Clark en Michael Lusse, is Vrydag in die Walvisbaaise landdroshof op borgtog van N$30 000 elk vrygelaat. Tydens hul borgtogaansoek Donderdag en Vrydag het al drie beskuldigdes getuig hulle was nooit bewus van die olifanttande se oorsprong nie.

Thursday, 19 September 2019
Terblanché N 2019. More rhino Poachers captured.

Three men accused of smuggling elephant tusks and attempting to sell the wildlife contraband to undercover detectives in Walvis Bay is set to bring a formal bail application to the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s court later today. Dirk Vermeulen, Edgar Clark were arrested almost three weeks ago and their co-accused Micheal Lusse was arrested a few days later in connection with the sale of two elephant tusks. They were all remanded in custody during the initial appearance in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court Three more suspects have been arrested after the Namibian Police…

Wednesday, 18 September 2019
Steynberg F 2019. Teenstropery: 280 polisielede veg saam - Twee karkasse van renosters op plaas ontdek.

Altesaam 280 polisielede van oraloor die land word in teenstropingseenhede op 'n driemaandelikse roteringsbasis in die Palmwagkonsessie en die Etosha en Bwabwata Nasionale Parke ontplooi. Só het die polisiehoof, lt.genl. Sebastian Ndeitunga, verlede week by 'n slypskool vir wildmisdaadwetgewing aan ondersoekbeamptes en aanklaers in die hoofstad gesê.

Tuesday, 17 September 2019
2019. Zwei Nashörner gewildert.

Zwei Nashörner sind im Dordabis-Distrikt Wilderern zum Opfer gefallen. Die zwei Dickhäuter sollen zwischen dem 9. und 11. September auf einer Farm erschossen worden sein. Wie die Polizei gestern nach Redaktionsschluss mitteilte, hat der Farmeigentümer am vergangenen Donnerstag die enthornten Kadaver entdeckt. Die Polizei geht von einem Täter aus, doch bisher wurde noch niemand verhaftet und die Ermittlung dauere an.

Tuesday, 17 September 2019
Kandovazu E 2019. Suspected poacher arrested while using government vehicle.

A CIVIL servant in the employ of the Ministry of Education, Arts and Culture was arrested early on Wednesday morning after he attempted to flee from police who was tracking his movements because of his involvement in elephant poaching. The arrest of the education minister official follows an intricate undercover tracking operation launched by the Namibian Police and officials from the Ministry of Environment and Tourism in the Zambezi Region. Zambezi Regional Crime Coordinator, Deputy Commissioner Evans Simasiku told Informanté in an exclusive interview that the suspect…

Tuesday, 17 September 2019
2019. 13 vermeende wildmisdadigers vas.

Altesaam 13 verdagtes is verlede week vanaf 9 tot 15 September in verband met wildmisdaad in hegtenis geneem. Vyf uit die 13 verdagtes is vas oor renosterstropery of die handel in horings, en een oor olifantstropery of handel in ivoor. Volgens die weeklikse statistieke van wildmisdaad van die Namibiese polisie se eenheid vir beskermde hulpbronne (PRU) en die ministerie van die omgewing en toerisme se intelligensie- en ondersoekeenheid, is sewe nuwe sake verlede week aanhangig gemaak. Beslagleggings is op twee elk renosterhorings, olifanttande, lewende ietermagôs,…

Saturday, 14 September 2019
Iilonga A 2019. "Poachers roaming Namibian streets freely" - Shifeta .

The Minister of Environment and Tourism, Pohamba Shifeta, has called on the Namibian police to enforce strict bail conditions to reoccurring poachers  as many of the wildlife trafficking incidents that have been reported are mostly committed by criminals who have been released from police custody on bail. He said that because the poaching business in enticing and profitable, many of the suspects commit the same offense immediately after being released on bail as no one is carefully monitoring their movement and whereabouts. 

Tuesday, 10 September 2019
2019. Vermeende skietmal renoserstroper verskyn in Otavi-hof.

Die vermeende renosterstroper wat Sondag glo op polisie- en weermaglede op 'n plaas buite Otavi losgebrand het, het vanoggend in dié dorp se landdroshof verskyn.

Tuesday, 10 September 2019
Shikongo A 2019. Police, suspected poacher exchange gunfire.

A 40-year-old suspected rhino poacher exchanged gunfire with a team of 15 Namibian Police officers and members of the Namibian Defence Force for nearly two hours on a farm outside Otavi on Sunday.

Tuesday, 10 September 2019
Terblanché N 2019. Two ivory smugglers remanded in custody.

THE 25-year-old Tjingeje Muhuka and Mbinda Kenahama also aged 25, who stands accused of attempting to sell an elephant tusk to undercover detectives at the start of the weekend, were remanded in custody until 19 October after the made their first appearance in the Walvis Bay Magistrate’s Court on Monday. The two accused persons were arrested on charges of possession and trade in protected wildlife products after they attempted to sell a single elephant tusk and a dried pangolin skin to undercover detectives In Walvis Bay on Friday evening.

Tuesday, 10 September 2019
2019. Vermeende skietmal renoserstroper verskyn in Otavi-hof.

Die vermeende renosterstroper wat Sondag glo op polisie- en weermaglede op 'n plaas buite Otavi losgebrand het, het vanoggend in dié dorp se landdroshof verskyn. Mnr. Joseph Ngoma (42) het op klagte van die onwettige jag van beskermde wild, asook die besit van 'n renosterhoring en 'n ongelisensieerde vuurwapen en ammunisie verskyn. 'n Klag van poging tot moord is bygevoeg omdat hy Sondag glo op 15 polisie- en weermaglede geskiet het toe hulle hom in hegtenis wou neem.

Monday, 9 September 2019
2019. Vier vas oor olifantprodukte.

Die Namibiese polisie het verlede week drie olifanttande, twee -velle en een stuk ivoor gekonfiskeer. 
Vier verdagtes is in verband met olifantstropery en -ivoorsmokkelary in hegtenis geneem, lui statistieke van wildmisdaad van 2 tot 8 September wat deur die polisie se eenheid vir bekermde hulpbronne (PRU) en die ministerie van die omgewing en toerisme se intelligensieen ondersoekeenheid verskaf is.

Thursday, 5 September 2019
Louw L 2019. Vermeende ivoorskelms op heterdaad betrap.

Geheime polisie het twee mans Saterdag op heterdaad betrap toe hulle glo twee olifanttande van die hand probeer sit het. Geen borgtog is Maandag aan mnre. Dirk Vermeulen (51) and Edgar Clark (41) toegestaan ná hulle die tande na bewering aan polisiebeamptes probeer verkwansel het nie.

Monday, 2 September 2019
Terblanché N 2019. Elephant tusk smugglers arrested in Walvis Bay.

A STING operation executed by members of the Namibian Police in the Erongo Region that were joined by officers from other regions in country saw the arrest of two men in Walvis Bay who attempted to sell elephant tusks to undercover detectives. According to Deputy Commissioner Erastus Iikuyu, Erongo Regional Crime Investigations Coordinator, the two suspects aged 41 and 51 were arrested after they tried to finalise the transaction on Saturday afternoon.

Monday, 2 September 2019
Kandovazu E 2019. Nine arrested for wildlife crimes.

NINE men were arrested over the past for the poaching of protected wildlife species. This is according to environment ministry spokesperson, Romeo Muyunda, who stated that the suspects form part of the three newly registered wildlife criminal cases. It is alleged that Gideon Gao-Naseb, Timotheus Kasera and Champion Haraseb killed a rhino at the Omateva farm in the Omitara constituency. They now face charges of hunting of specially protected species and the removal of protected products. The trio was arrested on 20 August and have been remanded in custody.

Monday, 2 September 2019
Hartman A 2019. Two men nabbed over elephant tusk.

Two men appeared in the Walvis Bay Magistrate's Court on a charge of dealing in elephants tusks on Monday.

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