If this is true that Geffert entered the plea, and I have no reason to believe differently since the trial date was late October, I'm most surprised and confused. Several of us here know Geffert (and his wife Zoe) and I thought he had this thing whipped.



The story I heard, and, of course, it was one-sided, was that another P.H. brought a hunter to a property and inquired of Geffert about hunting Rhino (all on a rush basis). Geffert told him he could if he got all the permits, etc., himself. Geffert wasn't even the P.H.. The client, after killing the animal, to his chagrin, found that he had no C.I.T.E.S. permit, etc., and raised hell with the P.H., who then blamed everything on Geffert telling the police that Geffert had misled him, etc.



Having sentenced several thousand folks to the can as a result of negotiated pleas, I know strange things happen at plea bargin time. Usually the truth comes out. Damn! Tell me it ain't so, Joe!



I know one regular here who hunted with Geffert this summer, spent time in his home and got to know him very well. I'll bet he is as surprised as me. Facing 10 years in a South African prison might make anyone 'fess up to a crime if you get to spend the night at home instead of with a boyfriend in jail? I do know that Geffert looked me in the eye and told me he was innocent. I guess I have to doubt that now!



Anyway, because of Geffert's malfeasence or stupidity (take your choice, it's got to be one or the other).. a pretty good P.H. is down the tubes. I hope he knows how to lay brick or something.

I hunted a property in the Northern Province, the Farm Mgr was at one time was a PH. I asked him why he didnt PH anymore, told me he lost his license over a mix up with CITES permit. Had to do with a Rhino, it was quite some years back. He told me the story but I do not remember the details, seems like the thought he had a the permit on one end, but not the other or something of that nature.

Thank God not all countries have this ridiculous "plea bargain" system like the USA.