http://m.news24.com/news24/Sou...-laundering-20170622

Polokwane - The Interpol task team has arrested professional hunting brothers, Dawie Groenewald, and Janneman, in Polokwane, Limpopo.

Their arrest early on Thursday morning comes exactly a week after the state’s long-running case against Dawie Groenewald, his wife Sariette and nine others was postponed again in the Pretoria High Court.

It is understood Janneman was arrested at his home, while Dawie was said to have handed himself to the authorities.

While details around the Thursday's raid remain sketchy, Hawks spokesperson Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi confirmed the arrest of the brothers at their homes, in order to facilitate the US government’s request for the brothers’ extradition to face charges there.

"Interpol executed an international warrant of arrest issued from the USA where Mr Groenewald and his brother are wanted for various charges by the US Department of Justice. They were assisted by the Limpopo Endangered Species Unit, and the Tactical Response Unit," Mulaudzi said.

The US indictment, issued in 2014, charges Dawie and Janneman Groenewald, and their company Valinor Trading CC (d/b/a Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris) with conspiracy, Lacey Act violations, mail fraud, money laundering and structuring bank deposits to avoid reporting requirements.

The Lacey Act is the US' oldest criminal statute addressing illegal poaching and wildlife trafficking, making it a crime to sell animal hunts conducted in violation of state, federal, tribal and foreign law.

Nine American hunters paid up to $15 000 (R650 000) per animal for a total of 11 hunts sold at hunting conventions and gun shows in the United States between 2005 and 2010.

The hunters were tricked by the Groenewalds into believing they were shooting legally at "problem" rhino. The Groenewalds obtained no hunting permits from the South African or local government, and the hunters never received the horn "trophies", the indictment said.

Extradition

The hunts took place at Prachtig, the ranch in Musina, Limpopo, which is co-owned by the Groenewalds and American investors, according to the indictment.

Both Groenewald brothers are South African nationals. Janneman lived and operated out of Alabama's Autauga County, where he maintained company bank accounts.

Asked why it had taken so long for Interpol to act and serve the Groenewalds with the US Department of Justice’s warrant of arrest for extradition, issued in 2014, Mulaudzi told News24:

"There are certain treaties and agreements that need to be followed. There are also procedures and due processes that need to be adhered to, and eventually, when both countries reach an understanding, those warrants can be executed. Crime has no boundaries.

"The warrant comes from Interpol, not from the South African authorities, and when we received it, we executed. They were arrested this morning, and are currently in court in Polokwane where they are expected to appear,” Mulaudzi said.

"Interpol is going to oppose any immediate bail application, and this will necessitate them to do a proper profiling of Janneman Groenewald, Mr Groenewald’s younger brother. This is necessary to make sure the case against them is tight when they apply for bail in perhaps seven days so that the court has enough evidence about him and his dealings," Mulaudzi said.

Asked whether the authorities believed the extradition application would succeed, Mulaudzi added:
"They are extremely confident. The criminal court case here will still continue, but it will depend on the Department of Justice, Interpol and the NPA to establish which cases they will prioritise".

Dawie, his wife Sariette, and nine others, including two vets and professional hunters, were arrested on World Rhino day, September 2010, and face a massive total of 1872 charges, but have managed to stave off prosecution since their arrest.

Authorities excavated the carcases of 26 rhinos they allege were illegally hunted and dehorned without permits.

That case was postponed until January 29th, 2018. Asked to comment on the arrest of Dawie, Sariette told News24:

"I don't know anything about it. Listen, I have been divorced since two years ago. Leave me alone".

Maybe these guys will finally get what they deserve.

Let us hope this is the end of the rope for them, and the rest of the crooks from that company!

http://reviewonline.co.za/2149...rested-granted-bail/



Groenewald brothers rearrested, granted bail

In 2014 Review reported that local game farmer, Dawie Groenewald, and his younger brother, Janneman, have been indicted in the United States on 18 charges relating to illegal rhino hunting.

2 hours ago


POLOKWANE – On Thursday morning both brothers were arrested by Interpol, a week after the state’s case against Dawie, his ex-wife, Sariette and nine others was postponed to January 2018.



Hawks Spokesperson, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said that Interpol executed an international warrant of arrest from the United States of America. “The brothers are wanted for various charges by the American department of Justice. They were assisted by the Limpopo Endangered Species Unit and the tactical Response Unit.”

Review spoke to the Groenewald’s lawyers, Thomas Grobler and Hennie Erwee, who both confirmed that a warrant of arrest was issued.



“The Interpol arrest warrants relate to charges against the Groenewald brothers by American hunters. We spoke to the relevant parties involved in 2014, and agreed that our clients will not be extradited to the US until their local court cases were finalised, ” said Erwee. Grobler confirmed that bail was granted at R50 000 for Dawie and R10 000 for Janneman. “The case has been postponed to 14 August for the charges to be investigated.” In 2014 the Groenewalds faced charges under several US laws, including the Lacey Act that makes it a criminal act to knowingly sell wildlife that was taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of US and foreign laws. The act addresses poaching and illegal trafficking, making it a crime to sell animal hunts conducted in violation of state, federal, tribal and foreign law.

Groenewald and his brother were charged with conspiracy to sell illegal rhino hunts in South Africa in order to defraud American hunters, money-laundering, contravening the Lacey Act, aiding and abetting, mail fraud and structuring bank deposits to avoid reporting requirements.

A number of years ago--at least 15 or more--I was called by a lady from SCI and told I had won first prize in a contest to recruit new members.

At the time I was on the Board of Directors for the GA Chapter of SCI, so my name was in fact associated with new member sign-ups.

She told me my prize was a safari to South Africa for myself and 4 other hunters, airfare not included.

The sponsor of the "prize" was Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris.

I had not really heard of them, so I called the contact number. After a few minutes' conversation, it quickly became obvious that the "extra" fees made this "prize" nothing but a huge scam--I could have booked a hunt with any of several known outfitters and ended up paying far less.

I called the SCI lady back and told her I was not interested and to take me off the "winner" list.

She said no problem, in fact you are not the first person we called--several others also declined the "prize."

I don't know if anyone ever claimed the "free" safari; I hope not, as they surely would have been cheated out of thousands of dollars--and had a terrible hunt to boot.

quote:

“The Interpol arrest warrants relate to charges against the Groenewald brothers by American hunters. We spoke to the relevant parties involved in 2014, and agreed that our clients will not be extradited to the US until their local court cases were finalised, ” said Erwee. Grobler confirmed that bail was granted at R50 000 for Dawie and R10 000 for Janneman. “The case has been postponed to 14 August for the charges to be investigated.” In 2014 the Groenewalds faced charges under several US laws, including the Lacey Act that makes it a criminal act to knowingly sell wildlife that was taken, possessed, transported or sold in violation of US and foreign laws. The act addresses poaching and illegal trafficking, making it a crime to sell animal hunts conducted in violation of state, federal, tribal and foreign law.

No extradition. hmmmmm

I hunted with these guys 4 times. They never cheated me but the last time in Botswana was a huge clusterf****. Later I learned from a ph that certain aspects of my hunt in matetsi was probably illegal. Then I learned a little more and have concluded these two are complete criminals and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. I can't imagine how ashamed all of the legitimate outfitters are of these two and their antics. In my experience most everyone in this industry is hard working and honest. They try their best despite very tough logistics and politics.

The bail amounts are laughable... US$3,876.39 for Dawie and US$775.28 for Janneman.

I have heard before that murderers get a $150 bail too in South Africa!