I just received word from South Africa that SCI 'darling' Dawie Groenewald was arrested yesterday and charged with being one of the ringleaders in the rhino poaching syndicate that supposedly killed 'hundreds' of rhinos.

Can anyone independently verify if this previously convicted poacher and alleged extortionist was one of the six other people arrested with Dr. Karel Toet, Marisa Toet, and Dr. Manie du Plessis?

Rhino poaching - Vets arrested

Cheers,

~Alan

Bloody hell!!!

Alan,

Please keep me informed!

ledvm@msn.com

I just got a second report that they not only arrested Dawie, but also his wife Sariette.

I'll bet there are some nervous Americans hoping none of them decides to cut a deal.

~ Alan

Wonder if there were any SCI big wigs involved? Hmmm, OoA strikes again.

If it's true I hope they throw away the key untill their bones turn to dust.

Where the hell is ole AdQueen to defend them now???

Hopefully SHE will also reap. Wonder how many rhino hunts she sold?

I'll bet a pound to a pinch of the brown stuff there's still going to be a LOT more arrests to come.

You play with fire and you get burned..... the guilty get bugger all sympathy from me!

an e-mail from a friend in the know:

"Hi Yes, Groenewald has been arrested as part of the same investigation inLimpopo Province, South Africa."

This is all I want for Christmas !

I bet some of SCI's head honchos are not feeling that comfortable right now!

No matter what everyone said before, they insisted on protecting those who pribed most - sorry, should have said "donate" to them.

For us ignorant folks. Who is this Dawie Groenewald? How does he fit in with SCI?

EZ

It is my greatest hope that the current SCi is not that of the old ways. I concur that those who would stand guilty as charged should not see the light of day again. Selfish greedy bastards, nothing more.

quote:

Originally posted by eezridr:
For us ignorant folks. Who is this Dawie Groenewald? How does he fit in with SCI?

EZ

If you do a search on OoA, Out Of Africa, SCI or SCI ethics committee, you'll find enough to keep you reading for a month.

As Saeed says, there's probably more than a few upper echelon SCI guys with twitchy bits right now.

Still, you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind......

I wonder why I'm not surprised?

I say hang the pirates.

quote:

Monday's arrests came about a week after Tom Fourie, a well-known figure in wildlife circles in Musina, was arrested. He has already appeared in court and was released on R2 000 bail.

They aren't taking it very seriously if one guy gets out on about $300 bail.

quote:

This is all I want for Christmas !

me2

quote:

Originally posted by Gatogordo:

quote:

Monday's arrests came about a week after Tom Fourie, a well-known figure in wildlife circles in Musina, was arrested. He has already appeared in court and was released on R2 000 bail.

They aren't taking it very seriously if one guy gets out on about $300 bail.

The arrests came a week after his. Maybe he rolled, and they've promised him a cushy time in exchange.

Let's not count our chickens before they're hatched.

As past events have proved, he's a slippery so & so.

While I love to believe that Dawie is really busted, for the life of me I cannot see why many of you jump on SCI right away. For all we know it has nothing to do with SCI or any "bigwigs" for that matter. Now SCI is not perfect by any means and I have my beefs as well but this is a perfect example of another internet slaughter without any facts. Also, we all need to wake up and understand there are a lot more anti-hunters than there are of us so sticking together even when we do not like all that happens is better than the alternative.

Sounds like this is a poaching ring that was not tied into sport hunting at all. What a great day for us all that a guy like Dawie finally gets what is coming to him. Lets just look at it for what it is and not make more out of it.

Now I feel better,

BBB

I don't think that anyone is necessarily suggesting that SCI members are involved in the rhino poaching operation (although I wouldn't rule it out either) more that other things might get discussed and that as OoA seem to have donated so much to SCI in the past there might possibly be more than one issue at stake here.

quote:

Originally posted by BigBBear:
While I love to believe that Dawie is really busted, for the life of me I cannot see why many of you jump on SCI right away. For all we know it has nothing to do with SCI or any "bigwigs" for that matter. Now SCI is not perfect by any means and I have my beefs as well but this is a perfect example of another internet slaughter without any facts. Also, we all need to wake up and understand there are a lot more anti-hunters than there are of us so sticking together even when we do not like all that happens is better than the alternative.

Sounds like this is a poaching ring that was not tied into sport hunting at all. What a great day for us all that a guy like Dawie finally gets what is coming to him. Lets just look at it for what it is and not make more out of it.

Now I feel better,

I am afraid whether we like it or not, SCI supported them to the Nth degree, despite all the mounting evidence of their involvement in totally illegal activities in Zimbabwe.

That is the sort of thing that reflects very badly on us as hunters.

Should we, as members of SCI, accept whatever they do in our name, even if we do not agree with it?

if this is true I would be in favor of bringing back hanging in the town square at high noon as a proper punishment...


Rich

quote:

Originally posted by Idaho Sharpshooter:
if this is true I would be in favor of bringing back hanging in the town square at high noon as a proper punishment...


Rich

Ex- policemen.....why am I not surprised? Mofos!!!!!!
I hope they lose everything they own and more!

Agreed!

And the hits just keep on comin'. OoA and Dawie have been dirty words to the safari community for some time. I hope they can prove the allegations and finish them once and for all.

Who did they fail to pay?

From the BBC website:

South Africa police smash 'rhino horn ring'
Rhino horns are valuable to poachers as they fetch a high price in Asia where they are used in medicine Nine people have been arrested and are to appear in a South African court on Wednesday for their alleged role in a rhino poaching syndicate.

The suspects include a businessman and two veterinarians operating in the Limpopo Province.

An official told the BBC the gang allegedly sent rhino horns to Asian markets.

More than 200 rhinos have been killed for their horns since the beginning of this year.

Rhino horns are sold in the black market and used in some Asian countries for medicinal purposes.

"It is a huge breakthrough for us and we believe it will serve as a deterrent and message to would-be smugglers that the net is closing in on their operations," police spokesperson Col Vish Naidoo told the BBC.

An undisclosed number of rhino horns were also seized during a raid in Musina, on the border of Zimbabwe and South Africa, where the group was operating.

The suspects will face charges relating to the killing, selling and dumping of rhino carcasses, Col Naidoo said.

The men linked to "hundreds of other incidents" are to appear in Musina magistrate's court on Wednesday.

South Africa recently tightened its anti-poaching laws but the industry continues to thrive in the country, authorities say.

Common sense would dictate from the start these criminals were selling to the Asian market, not to the US. I doubt anyone in the US would have ties to this. Not only because it would be a high felony, but can you imagine that "gang" telling a US citizen: "Hey, let's share millions of Rand/USD with you." Why would they want an un-needed partner? Secondly, they may be killing Rhino's they own (a few) and get more for the horn than a hunt. Probably most Rhino's were protected (poached) and we'll see what happens. But I suspect they have enough $$$ to buy their way out; a common occurrence in Africa. SCI should ban and shun anyone involved and the members should demand such action on anyone convicted of said crimes.

We all know how loud money talks in Africa lets just hope that the media really works this story so the government can't sweep it under the rug

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

quote:

Originally posted by eezridr:
For us ignorant folks. Who is this Dawie Groenewald? How does he fit in with SCI?

EZ

If you do a search on OoA, Out Of Africa, SCI or SCI ethics committee, you'll find enough to keep you reading for a month.

As Saeed says, there's probably more than a few upper echelon SCI guys with twitchy bits right now.

Still, you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind......

The President Elect of SCI is Kevin Anderson & he is/was the chairman of the Ethics committee that refused to suspend or reprimand Groenewald despite many complaints by SCI members. Anderson was also Groenewald's attorney during the recent Lacey act conviction in the US when he was found guilty of importing an illegally hunted leopard skin into the US.

There are some senior SCI people who had some kind of business interest in OOA.

I wonder if Kevin Anderson will be Groenewald's attorney now also!???? This does not look good for Anderson. Imagine the anti hunting press headlines reading that the SCI President Elect was the attorney of the Rhino poacher!

Does anyone know if it the same Dawies Groenewald who is also a Rugby official (Vice President) in South Africa?

Where are the "Greenies" when they could be of some benefit?

Most of us here will never be able to afford a Rhino hunt, and these ________ (I am at a loss for words to describe them) are killing them just to make a buck or two.

Rich
DRSS

@ Nakihunter

I am pretty sure the rugby fellow is a different person, who just happens to have the same name.

However, our South African friends would know for sure.

Cheers,

~ Alan

It is good this happened now....

Already suspended from the 2011 SCI show; it will give them a year so that the booth space can be reserved for 2012.Then they can have that fresh clean slate.....

Now if they will make the penalty fit the crime!

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:

quote:

Originally posted by shakari:

quote:

Originally posted by eezridr:
For us ignorant folks. Who is this Dawie Groenewald? How does he fit in with SCI?

EZ

If you do a search on OoA, Out Of Africa, SCI or SCI ethics committee, you'll find enough to keep you reading for a month.

As Saeed says, there's probably more than a few upper echelon SCI guys with twitchy bits right now.

Still, you sow the wind, you reap the whirlwind......

The President Elect of SCI is Kevin Anderson & he is/was the chairman of the Ethics committee that refused to suspend or reprimand Groenewald despite many complaints by SCI members. Anderson was also Groenewald's attorney during the recent Lacey act conviction in the US when he was found guilty of importing an illegally hunted leopard skin into the US.

There are some senior SCI people who had some kind of business interest in OOA.

I wonder if Kevin Anderson will be Groenewald's attorney now also!???? This does not look good for Anderson. Imagine the anti hunting press headlines reading that the SCI President Elect was the attorney of the Rhino poacher!

The above, gentlemen, is what is going to give us all a terrible name.

Not our complaining about SCI!

I have said it before, and I will repeat it here, the SCI so called "ethics" committee is a joke. And unless they get their heads out of the sand, and start calling a spade a spade, they will continue to be a joke.

Bending backwards to support unethical operators is just about the worst thing they could do.

PRESS RELEASE

Issued by the Professional Hunters Association of South Africa

Contact Details: Tel 012-667-2048; info@phasa.co.za / ceo@phasa.co.za; www.phasa.co.za

PHASA APPLAUDS ARRESTS OF POACHERS

Pretoria - The Professional Hunters’ Association of South Africa expressed their appreciation about the arrests of various people who are allegedly involved with the rhino poaching tsunami. PHASA also congratulated all who were involved with the investigations and eventual arrests, which includes the Hawks, the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA), SANParks, the department of nature conservation and the national prosecuting authority (NPA).

Ms Adri Kitshoff, PHASA CEO said that it is a huge disappointment that professional people who hold trusted positions in society and wildlife, are believed to be closely involved with rhino poaching syndicates.
“PHASA will support any motion to oppose bail being given to these people. The mere R2 000 bail that was recently awarded in another case, is a “crime” by itself” she said.

PHASA has recently made almost R400,000 available to be used towards rhino anti-poaching and management projects. “The money was raised by our members who, as professional hunters and hunting outfitters, will do everything in their power to put a stop to this senseless murder of our wildlife” Kitshoff said.

PHASA, currently the largest professional hunting association in the world, actively participates in the formulation of conservation policy in South Africa in partnership with government and non-governmental organizations and in consultation with an international network of affiliated bodies.

Issued by: Adri Kitshoff, PHASA
Contact details: 012-667-2048; 083-650-0442

Old news but very pertinent now:

Old but pertinent

This is simply nauseating stuff, and another reason why I am leaving SCI for DSC.