Rhinos - harsh sentence makes statement

Johannesburg - Two foreign nationals were convicted and sentenced on Thursday for illegal possession of rhino horns, the Endangered Wildlife Trust said.

Duc Manh Chu was arrested at the OR Tambo International Airport last year after he was found with 12 rhino horns, said Rynette Coetzee from the trust law and policy programme.

He was sentenced at the Kempton Park Regional Court to 10 years in jail for illegal possession of the horns and an additional two years in jail for fraud.

He was sentenced under Section 57 (1) of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act, Act 10 2004 (Nemba) as well as fraud in terms of the Customs and Excise Act, Act 91 of 1964.

"The full sentence is therefore 12 years imprisonment with no option of a fine. This is the highest penalty handed down for a biodiversity crime to date under Nemba," said Coetzee.

Phi Hung Nguyeng, also arrested last year at the same airport, was sentenced to six years in jail for possession of six rhino horns and a further two years for fraud, under the same laws.

Critical component

Magistrate Prince Manyathi warned that it made no difference whether a person was caught killing a rhino or carrying rhino horn. The same penalty would be handed down.

According to Coetzee, he told the court he did not want to one day only be able to show his grandchildren pictures of rhinos as they had all been killed.

Coetzee applauded the excellent work of all those who worked on the case.

"We recognise that conservationists are not just those lucky enough to work on game reserves, but includes all people who are committed to conserving our natural heritage and protecting our wildlife from illegal trade and poaching.

"South Africa has excellent environmental legislation, and strong enforcement of these laws forms a critical component of a national conservation movement."

- SAPA

Here, here! What are the odds he'll serve all twelve? What are the odds he'll survive? Just how bad are the SA prisons?

You will definitely require your anal sphincter to be re-adjusted and a life-time prescription of ARVs. Just behave yourself when visiting.

This is all great.
But, what happened to the enablers, Dowei and his band of criminals?

Great news on the harsh punishments but the truth is they're only nailing the triggermen and the mules and they'll always be a queue of them lining up for the job.

The only way to put a stop to it is to nail the men at the top and to do that, the Govt needs to say that diplomatic immunity won't be allowed to apply...... and then they have to actually mean what they say.

quote:

The only way to put a stop to it is to nail the men at the top and to do that, the Govt needs to say that diplomatic immunity won't be allowed to apply...... and then they have to actually mean what they say.

Ban Rhino hunting, automatic 25 years for anyone convicted of poaching or being part of an organized ring of poachers from hands on to planners. Poison seized reserves of horn then covertly pass it on to criminals. Won't take long to get the word out. Those that buy powdered Rhino horn are as guilty as the ones that killed the beast. If you can afford Rhino powder, your no peasant. This has got to stop, one way or another!

I'll be very surprised indeed if they don't stop all sport hunted thino quota at the next COP meeting.

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Originally posted by shakari:
I'll be very surprised indeed if they don't stop all sport hunted rhino quota at the next COP meeting.

The Boere mafia is going to kill the goose that laid the golden egg.