The "Rhino Mafia" responsible for these killings have been arrested BUT how many more are still out there - The Johan Roos "Musina Mafia" gang still lurk in the shadows !!
Thanks to http://www.rhinoconservation.org/
Two Limpopo veterinarians have been arrested in connection with ‘hundreds’ of rhino poaching incidents.
The names of two veterinarians involved in the slaughter of hundreds of rhinos in South Africa have been released by the media: Dr. Karel Toet and his wife, Marisa, along with one of Toet’s partners, Dr. Manie du Plessis, were arrested along with seven others. According to South Africa’s News24, the doctors own the Nylstroom animal clinic, as well as Limpopo Wildlife, which is involved with catching and transporting game on farms.
National police spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo stated that the nine suspects are believed to be the “masterminds” behind South Africa’s poaching scourge, which has claimed the lives of 210 rhinos already this year. These people were supposedly involved with killing rhinos, selling the horns and disposing of the carcasses. The investigation was reportedly carried out by the Hawks and the arrests were made by a team consisting of members from the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), SANParks, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), and the department of nature conservation. Last week, Tom Fourie, a well-known figure in wildlife circles in Musina, was arrested, but is already out on R2,000 bail. The nine suspects, including the Toets and Dr. Du Plessis, are apparently being held in Musina. Charges will be announced at their court appearance on Wednesday.
Three more people have been named in the recent arrest of nine rhino poaching syndicate “masterminds” responsible for killing hundreds of rhinos.
The names of three more people believed to be responsible the killing of hundreds of rhinos in South Africa have been released by the media: Dawie Groenewald and his wife Sariette, of Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris in Polokwane, and Tielman Erasmus, a professional hunter, are now behind bars and awaiting their Wednesday court appearance. Also among the nine people arrested are veterinarian Dr. Karel Toet and his wife, Marisa, along with one of Toet’s partners, Dr. Manie du Plessis. The doctors own Nylstroom animal clinic and Limpopo Wildlife, which is involved with catching and transporting game on farms.
Suspended from PHASA, banned from Zimbabwe – and arrested in the US
South Africa’s News24 noted that Groenewald is a former police official who was suspended four years ago from the Professional Hunters Association, and has apparently been banned since 2004 from hunting in Zimbabwe. It was also reported that Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris was working with Mugabe henchmen. During the height of political instability in Zimbabwe, the organisation apparently organised hunting safaris on farms and land invaded by Zanu-PF’s “war veterans”. In addition, Groenewald was arrested in the US earlier this year for his involvement with the illegal hunting of a leopard. His punishment amounted to slap on the wrist: A USD $30,000 (R228,000) fine, USD $7,500 (R57,000) in damages to the American hunter, eight days in an American jail, and two months of house arrest.
A helicopter connection
With helicopters being used in many rhino poaching cases in South Africa, it is not surprising that Groenewald is believed to be connected to a “closed corporation” which owns a Robinson R44 helicopter. The registration is ZS-HBH, according to the South African Aircraft register. The helicopter is said to be owned by Valinor Trading 142, of which his wife, Sariette, is listed as a director.
Court date set for ‘World Rhino Day’
Scheduled to appear in the Musina magistrate’s court on Wednesday, September 22, for their alleged involvement in killing hundreds of rhinos, sawing off their horns, and hiding the bodies:
Dr. Karel Toet – Nylstroom animal clinic and Limpopo Wildlife
Marisa Toet – Nylstroom animal clinic and Limpopo Wildlife
Dr. Manie du Plessis – Nylstroom animal clinic
Dawie Groenewald – Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris in Polokwane
Sariette Groenewald – Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris in Polokwane
Tielman Erasmus – professional hunter
Perhaps coincidentally, the September 22 court date happens to fall on World Rhino Day.
Source: News24
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Rhino poaching ring busted
21 September 2010, 00:09 - The police has busted an alleged rhino poaching ring, arresting nine people, including two veterinarians and a game farmer in Limpopo province, an official said on Tuesday. "Nine people were arrested including two veterinarians, one of their spouses and a game farmer and his spouse," said national police spokesman Vishnu Naidoo. "They are expected to appear in the Musina Magistrate's Court on Wednesday." The nine arrests were made in early morning raids on Monday at Modimolle, Polokwane and Musina. The ring was linked to "hundreds of rhino poaching incidents", said Naidoo.
The accused will face charges relating to the breach of regulations that govern the protection of wildlife. "This was a joint effort between the Hawks, SA National Parks, the National Prosecuting Authority and aviation authorities." Beeld newspaper reported on Tuesday that the two veterinarians were well-known in Modimolle and owned an animal clinic and a wildlife organisation involved in catching and transporting game. More than 200 rhinos have been killed for their horns since the beginning of this year, up from a total of 122 rhinos being poached last year, said Beeld. - By SAPA, 2010/09/21
StopRhinoPoaching.cvom - STATS SEPTEMBER: Awaiting an update. Sept. 1st - W Rhino snared, horns removed, Pongola
AUGUST: 4 White Rhino, undisclosed dates, 23rd - 2 W Rhino shot, horns removed, Limpopo 21st-W Rhino bull shot, horns removed. Cow wounded. 19th - Poached rhino carcass found in Ulundi, KZN and 40 yr old W Rhino shot, horns removed, Limpopo. 18th - W Rhino bull shot, horns removed, iMfolozi KZN. 17th - W Rhino shot in boma attack has died, Limpopo. Other: 3 more rhino poached, undisclosed
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Game farmers still optimistic - Zululand Observer Story : Larry Bentley - 20/09/10
Despite the possible negativity towards the owning of rhinos owing to the poaching problem, there was a good turnout of buyers at the White Rhino Auction held at the Centenary Centre in the Huhuwe-iMfolozi Park on Saturday. The auction brought in R198 000 for six hippos, R1.389-million for 56 buffalo and R3.472-million for the 19 White Rhino on offer. In his opening remarks, Ezemvelo KZN Wildife CEO, Dr Bandile Mkhize, said the auction is a management tool which helps EKZNW to control the animal populations. The only pod of six hippo on auction was sold for R33 000 per animal and the highest price for buffalo was R39 000 each for a herd of eight animals. The top price paid for a male White Rhino was R235 000, while an adult female and calf went for R415 000. At the close of the auction, Dr Mkhize said he was very satisfied with the outcome and the total income exceeded his expectations.
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Rhino-poaching accused to appear in court on Wednesday
Mail & Guardian Online - YADHANA JADOO
JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA - Sep 21 2010 16:46
Any veterinarian found guilty of disgracing the profession through improper conduct may be barred from practising, the South African Veterinary Council said (SAVC) on Tuesday.
"The council may impose, if a person is found guilty of disgraceful, improper or unprofessional conduct ... [punishment ranging] from a reprimand to the withdrawal of registration to practice as a veterinarian," it said in a statement. The SAVC was reacting to the arrest of nine members of an alleged rhino-poaching ring, including two veterinarians, one of their spouses, and a game farmer and his wife. They were caught during early morning raids on Monday at Modimolle, Polokwane, and Musina in Limpopo. "The SAVC fully supports the investigation into all illegal activities. If any registered veterinarians are found guilty of criminal activities an investigation into their professional conduct will follow ..."
The group, allegedly linked to "hundreds of rhino-poaching incidents", will appear in the Musina Magistrate's Court on Wednesday, national police said. "No further arrests have been made as yet," spokesperson Colonel Vishnu Naidoo said. The accused would face charges relating to breaching regulations governing the protection of wildlife. "This was a joint effort between the Hawks, South African National Parks, the National Prosecuting Authority, and aviation authorities," Naidoo said. Beeld newspaper reported on Tuesday that the two veterinarians were well-known in Modimolle, and owned an animal clinic and a wildlife organisation involved in catching and transporting game. The accused would be kept in custody until their appearance on Wednesday.
'Everyone is connected now'
More than 200 rhinos have been killed for their horns since the beginning of this year -- up from a total of 122 poached last year. Conservation agencies, at a press conference earlier this month, said a growing, wealthier middle class in East Asia and widespread use of cellphones, making communication between poachers and customers possible, were some of the causes for the increase in rhino poaching. "There is a growing middle class in East Asian society that can afford to buy rhino horn ... which they use as medicine," World Wildlife Fund (WWF) spokesperson Joseph Okori told reporters. Rhino horn is incorrectly believed to treat cancer, among other diseases, in some Asian countries.
The spokesperson for rhino-conservation agency TRAFFIC, Tom Milliken, said: "There are 100-million cellphones in Africa. Everyone is connected now. A guy can make a call from a game reserve and say 'I've got the horn, come pick me up'. Then a car is [organised] to pick him up and in a day or two he can be on a flight out of the country. This was not happening years ago." He also attributed the rise in rhino poaching to the growing Asian presence in Africa.
Wildlife Ranching South Africa recently called for rhino poaching to be legalised in an attempt to combat it. WRSA manager Reinhardt Holtzhausen said the reintroduction of rhino horn to the trade industry, under strict control and standards and overseen by South African authorities, was the "key to the solution".
Wednesday marks the WWF's first "Make a noise for rhino day" initiative in support of the country's "rhino warriors" -- the men and women who risked their lives daily fighting gangs running the illegal rhino horn trade. Apart from blowing vuvuzelas and tooting car hooters, the WWF encouraged people to make donations at www.wwf.org.za, which would be used to buy anti-poaching equipment for guards, including binoculars, radios, night-vision gear, body armour and tracking devices. -- Sapa
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Late News !! (As yet unconfirmed - 8.00am SA Time 22nd !!)
21 Sept. - Today's message on the ZWF Facebook Wall from a Richard's Bay resident - "Two white rhino dead in iMfolozi yesterday".
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