No Bail in Mariental Poaching Case
Luqman Cloete
15 November 2010



THE alleged poacher who was arrested on Tuesday for poaching on the state-owned farm Haribes in the Hardap Region was remanded in custody following a brief appearance in the Mariental Magistrate's Court on Thursday.

Government recently bought the farm Haribes for N$10 million from absentee foreign landlords to resettle the landless.

Jacques De Waal, who faces three counts that include hunting of huntable game, hunting on State land and hunting at night, was not asked to plead

His case was postponed to January 27 for further investigation.

De Waal was arrested after being found in possession of a gemsbok, three kudus and four springbok valued at N$11 000.

The Police also confiscated a hunting rifle belonging to De Waal's father, a hunting spotlight and rifle silencer.

A Police source hinted that De Waal was in possession of a letter issued by the Hardap Regional Council, giving him authority to hunt at Haribes, about 40 kilometres west of Mariental.

However, De Waal did not have a hunting permit, the source added.

The council allegedly intended to donate the meat of animals shot by De Waal to the elderly as a Christmas present.

Hardap Governor Katrina Hanse-Himarwa yesterday said she was not aware of a letter giving De Waal permission to hunt on the farm.

The South Africans need to start doing this to the rhino poachers they don't shoot and kill.

No bail and no trial for 6 months would be worse than getting killed outright.

Cheers,

~ Alan