quote:

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

you are not alone my friend

There has certainly been plenty to implicate OoA and Dawie in numerous past scandals and unethical dealings and accordingly I like many others have called for investigation and proper actions and encouraged unwitting hunters to steer clear.

And here again if Dawie is involved with this I’m all for running him thru the mill and hanging him out to dry and the same for anyone else that is directly involved.

Granted passions are high when abuses come from within our own industries and vested interests, but I hate to see this forum go down the road of so many other hunting forums and bash away at any and everything and anyone that touches a nerve!

According to this news post; Rhino bust! Dawie was reported to have been arrested so,fine bash Dawie as we would any “charged” criminal and bash the rest of those "charged" with this crime to the same degree.

Furthermore from the sound of it the government officials that set a $300 bail deserve a thorough bashing.

At that point if this is not enough bashing to work off the anger, fear, frustration and disgust such an offence generates then we might use the energy to rally proper investigation, criminal and judicial responses vs taking the bashing out into the streets and neighborhoods where many good friends and members of this forum work, live and roam in relative peace and without any complicity!

Respectfully
Mike O

dawie's bail was set earlier today at one million Rands.

quote:

Originally posted by Stephen Palos:
Old news but very pertinent now:

[]

Really? how is this 4 years old, discredited, bit of sensational "news" pertinent?

So much of it is wrong you must question it entirely - even if you dislike the OoA subject.

Actually, almost anything written in Newsweek is suspect, and deserving of fact checking.

Les

This event has legs....its now on the US national CBS news reports via radio. Not identifying names but touting "major rhino poaching gang was arrested in South Africa".

How was this discredited? Am I missing something?

Larry:

I can't speak for Les, but I think he is refering to parts of the article that mention Buffalo Range and Rob and Barry Style. Les and I personally know Rob and Barry. We have hunted with Buffalo Range Safaris and would do so in an instant again. Their long time involvement in the safari industry in Zim goes back multiple generations. In fact, their grandfather was a pioneer in the hunting industry. Their reputation and ethics are above reproach. We have hunted with them, as have many here, and it is extremely unlikely that you will hear a negative comment on them or their operation.

This article was discussed when it came out and IIRC I responded to it then.

Unfortunately, they were being painted with the same brush as OOA by Newsweek. OOA and Buffalo Range Safaris are exact opposites as far as integrity, ethics, conservation, and professionalism are concerned.

Regards,

RCG

I see. I interpreted the comment that the charges against Groenwald were discredited. Big difference.

I actually met your friends in the Buffalo Range airport about 20 years ago. Nice people.

Coena Smit, the alleged helicopter pilot for the alleged rhino poaching syndicate allegedly headed by Dawie Groenewald, seems to be a real piece of work according to allegations I have received.

Somehow, this oxygen thief was not at the arraignment hearing in Musina and was not charged or bailed out with the rest of them.
Also interesting is that the number of arrested jumped from nine to eleven people.

Seems to me that old Coena cunt a deal... sorry meant to say "cut a deal".


Coena Smith sold three tame rhinos to a farm in Limpopo, then went in with his game-catching helicopter and helped poachers on the ground to kill them - then he went back to the farm owner to offer his condolences and said "I have three more rhinos for you".

Cheers,

~Alan

Yes ALAN as we know he has made bail 1 million rand and 100,000 for his wife the have both made bail.check sci bank account it maybe a little lower

It would be interesting to know if Anderson was Dawie's lawyer in the Alabama leopard smuggling case, and exactly who picked up the tab for the legal expenses and fines.

With all the hatred of SCI from the anti-hunting groups like PETA, HSUS, Greenpeace, et al, it would be ironic if the whole organization was brought down from within by their unwavering support of an international poaching and smuggling operation.

Cheers,

~Alan

quote:

Originally posted by Alan Bunn:
It would be interesting to know if Anderson was Dawie's lawyer in the Alabama leopard smuggling case, and exactly who picked up the tab for the legal expenses and fines.......

Yes Kevin Anderson was the lawyer in that case. I wonder how long he will remain President Elect of SCI.

quote:

Originally posted by Nakihunter:

quote:

Originally posted by Alan Bunn:
It would be interesting to know if Anderson was Dawie's lawyer in the Alabama leopard smuggling case, and exactly who picked up the tab for the legal expenses and fines.......

Yes Kevin Anderson was the lawyer in that case. I wonder how long he will remain President Elect of SCI.

This is not the first time that I have heard of an SCI president who wasn't involved some sort of shady dealings.

No wonder their "ethics" committee seems to bend backwards to support all sorts of shady operators.

I for one do not take any sort of pleasure in hearing this. Because ultimately this is going to paint all of us hunters with a rather unfavourable character.

I do know individuals who are involved in SCI who are doing a great job for the protection of our heritage, and I am sure they are feeling just as bad as the rest of us about this.

Are we going to get back on track to what SCI is supposed to be?

An orgenization for hunters. And I mean ETHICAL hunters?

When is SCI going to get rid of the silly system they have put above eveything else - the system of MINE IS BIGGER THAN YOURS.

There is nothing wrong with aspiring to shoot a great trophy.
But I think SCI has elevated this to extremes, that many individuals would think nothing of breaking any laws to beat the other guy.

And as we have seen here before, there are outfitters who cater just for this lot.

As Saeed says, all hunters are going to get an awful lot of bad press from this and as much as I dislike some aspects of SCI in general and their (lack of) ethics committee in particular, I think we should avoid doing to SCI and it's members what the press are sure to do to us.

Sure, it'd be real easy to take cheap shots at the organisation and it's members but I for one would rather see the organisation have a good clean out and then survive........ just as long as they clean up their act....... they could after all be a fantastic force for good when it comes to hunters and hunting.

Mind you, they'd still have to bin the donation scheme and change a few other things before they get my approval!

A while ago members of this site wrote to the SCI to ask for transparency in dealing with Mark Sullivan. How about writing to SCI now to manage the fall out of this matter in a united manner?

SCI is the most high profile representative of hunters as far as the media is concerned. Will SCI come to party or will they try to cover up? IF OOA is a front for the South African Mafia, how deep and wide does its influence run?

The first call should be for SCI to distance itself from all matters relating to OOA AND its close associates. This includes Kevin Anderson. There is no way the President Elect can face the public with credibility when he has been a close associate of OOA for so long and in so many controversies in the past.

The next steps would be for SCI to come clean about its members / office bearers' involvement with OOA & its business interests. Unless SCI can be proactive and do some quick damage control, they will be ripped apart over a period of time.

Unfortunately their website is silent on this recent matter! I would like to see SCI give high coverage to this matter and be seen to be doing the right things.

quote:

Originally posted by Vetaikaran:
A while ago members of this site wrote to the SCI to ask for transparency in dealing with Mark Sullivan. How about writing to SCI now to manage the fall out of this matter in a united manner?

SCI is the most high profile representative of hunters as far as the media is concerned. Will SCI come to party or will they try to cover up? IF OOA is a front for the South African Mafia, how deep and wide does its influence run?

The first call should be for SCI to distance itself from all matters relating to OOA AND its close associates. This includes Kevin Anderson. There is no way the President Elect can face the public with credibility when he has been a close associate of OOA for so long and in so many controversies in the past.

The next steps would be for SCI to come clean about its members / office bearers' involvement with OOA & its business interests. Unless SCI can be proactive and do some quick damage control, they will be ripped apart over a period of time.

Unfortunately their website is silent on this recent matter! I would like to see SCI give high coverage to this matter and be seen to be doing the right things.

Wise words indeed!

quote:

This is not the first time that I have heard of an SCI president who wasn't involved some sort of shady dealings.

not only that but it started with the originator doing things like buying other peoples trophies and claiming they were his. and yes i do have proof of that

I am not any fan of Kevin Anderson, to be sure. It's going to be one hell of a long year with him as President!

Wow, here we go again. Another thread that immediately brings the "now famous" few on here that jump at any chance to bash SCI. Let me say I hope every poacher, law breaker and low life gets everything that is coming to them, including the Rino Poaching group

In most places every accused/defendant has the right to a lawyer to represent them in any Court proceedings brought against them. That includes many obvious ones that some of us may see as not deserving that right. However when a lawyers client is convicted, the lawyer is not considered guilty of the same offense as his client. That is unless he happens to be a, as some here put it, in the "upper circles" of SCI. Then those who bash SCI here on a regular basis howl at the moon in great joy.

To assume a lawyer is somehow involved with a clients wrongdoings because of the lawyers association with SCI, is simply mindboggling. If this was the case then the lawyer should also be an accused. So far I don't see this being the case, and not saying it may not be in the future, but until that is the case no judgement should be assumed by the "AR SCI Bashers" crowd. It's truly sad that some here are so pent up with personal vendettas and their own befliefs and hatred of SCI's award system that they go to no ends to discredit.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

UEG - Plus 1 on that for me as well.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
I am not any fan of Kevin Anderson, to be sure. It's going to be one hell of a long year with him as President!

Larry, I am not a member of SCI & have nothing for or against them. I just have a fair bit of business & management experience including conducting over 50 disciplinary procedures when managing a large number of workers. So I know what conflict of interest is. When Kevin Anderson is a client's lawyer, I have no problem. But when he is also the chairman of the ethics committee that does not investigate or take action against OOA & the same above client, that is a serious problem of conflict of interest.

How can you be chairman of the ethics committee and also do a fair & unbiased job when your client is the accused and has to be dealt with by you? NEVER GONNA HAPPEN!!!

The BIG issue for me as a hunter is the influence that SCI has in the media and the bad press this stuff will get ultimately & what Anderson will do about it.

quote:

Originally posted by Use Enough Gun:
I am not any fan of Kevin Anderson, to be sure. It's going to be one hell of a long year with him as President!

From the little bit I know of him, I tend to agree.

quote:

Originally posted by Larry Sellers:
Wow, here we go again. Another thread that immediately brings the "now famous" few on here that jump at any chance to bash SCI. Let me say I hope every poacher, law breaker and low life gets everything that is coming to them, including the Rino Poaching group

In most places every accused/defendant has the right to a lawyer to represent them in any Court proceedings brought against them. That includes many obvious ones that some of us may see as not deserving that right. However when a lawyers client is convicted, the lawyer is not considered guilty of the same offense as his client. That is unless he happens to be a, as some here put it, in the "upper circles" of SCI. Then those who bash SCI here on a regular basis howl at the moon in great joy.

To assume a lawyer is somehow involved with a clients wrongdoings because of the lawyers association with SCI, is simply mindboggling. If this was the case then the lawyer should also be an accused. So far I don't see this being the case, and not saying it may not be in the future, but until that is the case no judgement should be assumed by the "AR SCI Bashers" crowd. It's truly sad that some here are so pent up with personal vendettas and their own befliefs and hatred of SCI's award system that they go to no ends to discredit.

Larry Sellers
SCI Life Member

Larry,

Let me ask you something.

Here we have one of SCI darlings. Who is involved in Out of Africa. Who has been defended by SCI through thick and thin. Regardless of the mounting evidence of all the laws they have broken.

He also has Kevin Anderson as his lawyer.
It just so happens that Kevin Anderson is in charge of the SCI ethics committee.

It also transpires that Kevin is aspiring to be the president of SCI.

I am a Life member of SCI, and haveb een for many years.

Are you suggesting that me, as well as others who are paying members of SCI, have no say in this mess they have gotten us all in?

Isn't this just about the ultimate in hypocracy?
SCI will now need to kick not just Kevin Anderson out, but any other person who was involved in this fiasco.

SCI will also need to really turn the page, otherwise they have lost any credibility they might have in the face of hunters.

It really cannot get any worse can it?

Here we have our very own orgenization, up to their necks in trouble, supporting one of the worst criminals standing against real hunters.

maybe we should ask Mike Simpson, a past president of SCI and taxidermist to head the ethics committee or be president again. oh, that's right- he and Dan Duncan( SCI multiple record book entrant) ADMITTED to shooting moose and sheep from a chopper in Russia a few years ago. of course their excuse/ reason for doing so was they were accompanied by a local game official who said it was ok legally(what about ethically???) and they didn't know Russian law forbade it. i guess they were pretty lucky that the Russians involved weren't about to show up in US Federal Court and charges were dropped. they never denied the fact that they shot game from the chopper. how is that as a qualification to head the "ethics" committee?

Kevin Anderson was defending OoA back in 2004 when I had a run-in with the dirtbags of OoA.

Larry,
you are missing the point:

Kevin has been involved for quite some time as legal council for OoA-----that may be fine as just a "business deal" -- a lawyer defending his client;
but as a leader in the SCI rankings-----that just blows-- He should resign!

He knows very well that his "clients" are; dirtbags, thieves, poachers and to risk damaging the image of SCI and hunters, as well as allowing the press to use this poaching charge to further paint an image of corruption (SCI/hunters)is inexcusable

-there is also a dirty little rumor that Kevin is part owner of OoA------now what will you say if it is true and Kevin finds himself in locked-up?

this soap opera of OoA will play out for while longer----I am thinking

the press will have a hayday with this mess

My mentor always talked about CONFLICT OF INTEREST I could never understand what he ment.

i always thought a president must be objective and not attached

quote:

Originally posted by quickshot:
Kevin Anderson was defending OoA back in 2004 when I had a run-in with the dirtbags of OoA.

Larry,
you are missing the point:

Kevin has been involved for quite some time as legal council for OoA-----that may be fine as just a "business deal" -- a lawyer defending his client; but as a leader in the SCI rankings-----that just blows-- He should resign!

He knows very well that his "clients" are; dirtbags, thieves, poachers and to risk damaging the image of SCI and hunters, as well as allowing the press to use this poaching charge to further paint an image of corruption (SCI/hunters)is inexcusable

If the below is true this will be very bad for not only SCI, but hunters in general.

quote:

-there is also a dirty little rumor that Kevin is part owner of OoA------now what will you say if it is true and Kevin finds himself in locked-up?

this soap opera of OoA will play out for while longer----I am thinking

the press will have a hayday with this mess

I dropped my membership to SCI due to their continued association with OoA as it seems money was much more important than ethics and honesty.

Ann,

In my opinion, SCI has become a bigger threat to the future of hunting than PETA, HSUS, Greenpeace and all the other fanatical animal rights groups rolled into one. They have failed every single hunter, not only here in the United States, but also in the entire world by failing to adhere to their own core principles and code of ethics. Instead of being 'First for Hunters', they have become merely, 'First for Profit".

I could not believe the response I got from my former colleagues in SCI, when the first news surfaced about Out of Africa being the ringleaders spearheading the rape and pillage of all the game farms and conservancies in Zimbabwe. Instead of any outrage, there was a wholesale scramble to get up there and shoot as many animals as they could. Among other things, the net result has been the decrease of the best sable population in Africa by 80%. However, as long as these so-called sportsmen got a trophy head that placed them high enough in the record book, they could have cared less about the white families who had to flee the 'war vets' in the middle of the night with only the clothes on their backs.

They were dismissive and disdainful of the whole affair, calling it 'old news', that it had been 'dealt with' at the SCI annual executive committee meeting, where it was found that there was 'no evidence' to support the fact that Out of Africa, or any South African safari operator, was involved in ANY illegal activities in Zimbabwe. They have kept this chant of 'no evidence' up , even after Zimbabwe expelled Out of Africa from hunting there, to this very day they say there is no evidence or that it was a set-up. In fact, 'no evidence' was loudly proclaimed by their resident spokesman here, right up until the time I posted the Department of Justice press release about USFWS and Customs arresting Dawie in Alabama for leopard smuggling.

Now, they are all saying; we deplore this incredible situation; how could it have happened under our very noses; in no way was SCI responsible; don't paint us with a broad brush; you are all just haters of the record book system; you are not members so shut up; it is the same litany of SCI hate mongers who jump at every chance to degrade our beloved organization, blah, blah, blah.

However, not once while they are squealing like slaughtered hogs over the supposedly undeserved criticism of SCI is there one mention of how prominent SCI members and officers of every single local chapter and SCI headquarters were hosted on these illegally confiscated properties; how money was funneled to Mugabe at the very same time he was selling yellow cake uranium to the North Koreans; how dozens and dozens of rank and file members were extorted and robbed of money and their legitimate trophies; how every single ethics case was thrown out; how the whole organization is run like a Banana Republic... and even when Dawie plead guilty to smuggling in Federal Court... that he and Janneman were NOT expelled from SCI, but merely allowed to RESIGN. None of this is ever mentioned... NOT EVER, NOT ONE TIME.

Some of you long time forum members will remember when Teressa Groenewald Hagerman pitched up here as pro huntress, spewing again that there was 'no evidence', and that all the accusations were because everyone was 'jealous and envious' of Out of Africa's success as a safari operator. I realized who she was by her handle and location, and immediately called her out. The proof was when she disappeared and never posted another word. Teressa did hang on to the 'pro huntress' moniker though, and later on actually had a website using that name.

The very next day after her outing here on AR, I had two phone messages and and email from one of their main defenders and supporters in the Georgia and Atlanta SCI chapters demanding to know; "What the Hell is going on between you and Teressa Groenewald ??!!" Now, that the whole story of organized crime and international smuggling has started to unravel, this same person alleges he has been trying for years to get affidavits from disgruntled hunters who were ripped off and extorted by Dawie Groenewald to present to the SCI Ethics Committee. I'm sure that he would have personally put these documents into Kevin Anderson's hands. Unfortunately, unless the affidavits were tattooed on her ass, it appears that it is highly unlikely that he would have found them.

Cheers,

~Alan

Many of us were labeled as running a whisper campaign against OOA and those involved with them. All I can say is no longer! NOW WE ARE GETTING QUITE NOISY ABOUT IT!!!

Right on Alan and Mike, when OoA went shooting up the Gwayi Valley lands I complained in writing to SCI and my complaint was dismissed. Thus I parted ways with SCI. Despite what they may think, there is no clean end to a turd.

This thing is HUGE back here in SA - Believe me the excretum is about to hit the rotating oscillator in a big way - and a major can of worms is going to be opened in the hunting industry locally and internationally ! I bet there are a large number of OoA clients and "big wig" SCI members who are experiencing the puckered rectum syndrome right now !!
JOIN DSC !! - at least they saw through OoA and M.Sullivan a long time ago - and banned them from exhibiting at their show ! SCI pandered to these louts for a long time before FINALLY making a stand - makes you wonder why they took so long !!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can anyone confirm this thing is connected to the piece on Carte Blanche that reported an unmarked Robinson helicopter buzzing about around (I think) Limpopo?

I assume the two things are related.

Alan,

Mate, don't beat about the bush. Why don't you tell us what you really think!

More seriously, I think you're probably right. Perhaps almost embarrassingly frank...... but right.

quote:

Originally posted by Alan Bunn: Some of you long time forum members will remember when Teressa Groenewald Hagerman pitched up here as pro huntress, spewing again that there was 'no evidence', and that all the accusations were because everyone was 'jealous and envious' of Out of Africa's success as a safari operator. I realized who she was by her handle and location, and immediately called her out. The proof was when she disappeared and never posted another word. Teressa did hang on to the 'pro huntress' moniker though, and later on actually had a website using that name.

Alan, I believe this is the quote that you are referring to:

quote:

Originally posted by Huntress:
It is pathetic how people will make judgements based on a false document. Does anyone know where this letter came from? Is there proof that these Outfitters are hunting illegally? I have checked the registration numbers that was given in this document and found that they DO NOT belong to Out of Africa. So, what else is false about this document? I know from experience Out of Africa is doing everything by the books. They have adequate proof that they are hunting legally and ethically. According to the law of the US, people are innocent before they are proven guilty. According to the respondents of this document, they are guilty before proven innocent. I think there should be legitimate proof that these Outfitters are hunting illegally before judgements are made. If it can be proven that they are illegal, then make a judgement. Otherwise, leave these people alone.

What is shocking is that this post was dated Sept-9 2003, and in response to a list of companies hunting on occupied farms in Zimbabwe, naming Out of Africa. Had OoA been dealt with then, perhaps this latest round of evil doings would have been avoided.

Rhino farm 'a slaughterhouse'
2010-09-26 09:25



Herman Scholtz, Rapport

Johannesburg – Farm workers in the Musina area call the farm Prachtig the "animal slaughterhouse". This farm is a central part of the State's controversial case against an alleged rhino poaching syndicate.

Several people – among them two veterinarians - appeared on Tuesday in a court in Musina.

Investigating officers visited Prachtig over the past few days, apparently to search for rhino "graves".

Part of the accused's bail conditions was that they were not allowed to tamper with the 32 rhino on the farm or interfere with the investigation.

Some of the rhino come from the Kruger National Park and police were apparently looking for carcasses of animals who were allegedly killed for their horns.

An expert told Rapport that the horrible truth was that a dead rhino was more valuable than a live one.

Rhino horn costs between $20 000 (R140 000) per kilo and a rhino bull's horn weighs about 5kg.

A live rhino was valued at between R130 000 and R300 000 in South Africa.

Butchery


Most of the rhino mentioned in the case were apparently poached on the farm.

An informed source said Dawie Groenewald, owner of Prachtig, where his safari company Out of Africa held hunting expeditions, boasted at one stage that he had 80 rhino on his farm.

Some of these rhino had their horns cut off.

When reporters visited the farm on Friday, the huge Out of Africa sign had been removed. Farm workers didn't know where the "Out of Africa" farm was, but were quick to give directions to the place they called the "animal butchery".

A Sanparks spokesperson confirmed that Groenewald had bought between 20 and 30 rhino from the Kruger park.

Dr Karel Toet, a vet who was also arrested, acted as a go-between and also bought rhino for Groenewald at the game reserve.

The spokesperson said they stopped selling game to Groenewald when they were informed he was earlier this year found guilty in an American court of exporting an illegally hunted leopard.

Groenewald is a notorious roleplayer in the hunting industry. He was a police official years ago in the vehicle theft unit in Polokwane but was arrested for car theft. His brother was found guilty but he was acquitted.

Julian Rademeyer reported that Groenewald had been suspended from the professional hunting association four years ago and was banned from hunting in Zimbabwe.

- Rapport

At Last !!! Article posted in Johannesburg paper:

Johannesburg - The owner of a safari business, his wife and a professional hunter are among the "masterminds" who have been arrested in connection with rhino poaching.

Dawie Groenewald, 42, the wealthy driving force behind Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris in Polokwane, his wife, Sariette, 34, and Tielman Erasmus, a professional hunter, are behind bars.

They were arrested on Monday along with Dr Karel Toet and Dr Manie du Plessis, two veterinarians from Modimolle, and Toet's wife, Marisa.

Groenewald, a former police official, was suspended from the South African Professional Hunters Association four years ago, and Zimbabwean authorities put a stop to his hunting there.

He was arrested in the US in April this year in connection with a leopard trophy which was illegally hunted in South Africa and exported to the US. He pled guilty and was sentenced to pay a fine of $30 000 (R228 000).

He spent eight days in prison there, over two months under house arrest and also had to pay $7 500 (R57 000) in damages to the American hunter.

He denied in an interview with Media24's investigative team that he was involved in rhino poaching and has been forbidden from entering Zimbabwe.

Notorious

According to the South African Aircraft register, Groenewald is linked to a closed corporation which owns a Robinson R44 helicopter with the registration ZS-HBH.

His wife, Sariette, is listed as a director of Valinor Trading 142 - the owner of the helicopter.

It is a known fact that helicopters are often used during rhino poaching operations.

Groenewald's Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris is rather notorious in hunting circles.

They advertise hunting safaris in Botswana, Tanzania, South Africa and even Zimbabwe, despite the fact that the Zimbabwean nature conservation authority (Zimbabwe Parks and Wildlife Management Authority) forbade them from entering the country in September 2004.

A Zimbabwean cabinet minister and well-known figure in conservation circles, David Coltart, had earlier described Out of Africa to Newsweek as a "cruel organisation which has no respect for the environment" and strives for "unreachable hunting quotas".

Hunting experts in Zimbabwe allege that Out of Africa has strong links with politicians close to President Robert Mugabe.

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".

Shock

About 100 vehicles from the police and the department of nature conservation raided game farms in the Musina area on Tuesday. A police helicopter and aircraft were also used.

Several people, including professional hunters, were questioned.

There have been no further arrests.

National police spokesperson Vishnu Naidoo said on Monday the nine suspects are allegedly involved in killing rhinos, sawing off their horns and removing the carcasses.

These nine suspects will appear in court in Musina on Wednesday, the day declared International Rhino Day by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF).

The South African Veterinary Association (Sava) expressed its shock over the arrest of Toet and Du Plessis.

It distanced itself from any "colleagues" who might be involved in rhino poaching.

Altogether 210 rhinos have been poached for their horns right across the country since January.

Read more on: poaching | crime | polokwane

My blood is really boiling when I read this!! I grew up in India and corruption is big there but poaching was never tolerated at the top levels. The tiger poaching there was a result of lower level operators & Tibetan refugees using traditional links in Nepal to get their contraband into China.

I find it absolutely unbelievable that Kevin Anderson is so powerful & untouchable! If Groenwald was arrested for car theft many years ago while he was a cop & his brother was convicted, how come Anderson still maintained links with such a man. Anderson must be in bed with US Mafia. Drug trafficking is part of their patch & if Rhino horn smuggling is linked to the drug trade, then God only know where this fiasco will lead to!

Why can't SCI members do a signature campaign & do something about this tragic situation within the hunting community? Surely some influential people can door-knock and get a lot of signatures.

I had heard a long time back and dont even remember where or when it has been so long that there was another brother. If I remember the story right he met his end in Zim at the end of a rope. I dont know if any of that is true or not. Can someone confirm or discredit that story as fact or fiction?

Mike,

I have been trying to find this out as well. From what I have been told, there is only Dawie, Janneman, and a sister in this Groenewald family.

Other than that, I was told Dawie's hatred of the white Zimbabwean's was the result of someone named 'Jacob' or 'Jaco' who died kicking at the end of a rope for murder. Hanging is still the preferred punishment in Zim for murder, so they say.

Allegedly, this Jacob was arrested for putting a hit on a suspected snitch for the SA mafia. It seems there was a huge heroin bust, and many of the members decided it was a good time to retire and enjoy their huge fortunes, since it was getting so 'hot' for them to stay in the gang.

The other guys that wanted to stay in the business decided that one of the retirees must be a snitch, and since they could not prove which one it was, then the prudent move would be to kill them all and let God sort them out.

It would not be a good idea to leave a trail of dead ex-military intelligence and police officers laying around dead, as that would lead a smart detective right back to them. So, they devised a plan to cover their true targets under the guise of car jackings gone bad.

I wonder if these were the same cars that got them kicked out of SAPS?

~Alan

A little too much melodramtic rumouring an specultaion for me. The story makes sense but they should certainly be someone who can substantiate it if true. Either way it dosnt take anything away from this current cluster!

Yes, this is just another campfire story, but Dawie's hatred for the white Zimbabweans is no rumor.

In fact, him running his mouth to me about how glad he was that Mugabe had run the whites out, and that "we don't want them in South Africa either" was what first put him on my radar screen.

However, it was his own stupid and arrogant actions that did him in, and the follow-up on all this will no doubt sink some bigger ships.

~Alan