SO far this year, at least 16 suspects have been on trial in Mtubatuba for wildlife crimes, mostly relating to rhinos.
Last month the case against N Xulu, P Dube and ST Shabangu, who were charged with restricted activity involving protected species without a permit, the possession of protected game which has been hunted, possession of a firearm, and possession of ammunition, concluded with a not guilty verdict.
These charges related to a rhino and two rhino horns.
Currently on trial are T Mdluli, MA Ngubane, U Masinga and ML Zikhali, charged with restricted activity involving threatened or protected species without a permit.
In a separate case, JT Zwane, SM Mthembu, Z Masinga, S Hlophe and Z Khumalo are on trial, charged with numerous environmental crimes including conspiracy to commit a restricted activity involving threatened or protected species without a permit, carrying out a restricted activity involving threatened or protected species without a permit and hunting specially protected game without a permit.
C Ngobeni is also on trial for a myriad of offences, including restricted activity involving threatened or protected species without a permit, and trespassing.
MF Hlatswayo and MH Msondo are on trial, charged with carrying out restricted activity involving threatened or protected species without a permit but this trial has been postponed for further investigation.
In each of these crimes, rhinos are the protected or threatened species to which the charges refer.
Other species
In other environment-related crimes, Sivalingum Govindasamy Pillay was arrested in February at Zamimpilo for being in possession of 73 prawns without the required permit.
After pleading guilty, Pillay was fined R3 000.
Xolani Nhlobani Mthethwa from Mtubatuba was in March arrested for trespassing on land where game is present or likely to be found, while carrying a weapon or trap or being accompanied by dogs.
Mthethwa was fined R1 500 or three months in prison.
Owing to its proximity to Big 5 game reserves and other protected areas, Mtubatuba Regional Court processes numerous suspects every year in connection with environmental crimes.
After the arrest of suspects, cases can take years to reach court and, at times, the slightest technicality could see a suspect, even if caught red-handed, found not guilty and released into the same area in which the crime was committed.
@TamlynJolly
