Windhoek
Four men were denied bail on Friday when they appeared in the Windhoek Magistrate’s Court.
The four face charges of possession of/or dealing in controlled game products, contravening section 2(1) (a) read with sections 1,2,3, 4 and 5 of Proclamation AG 42 of 1980, as amended by Act 31 of 1990, which deal with game products.
The four men are Chipandze Chamunopioa, 49, Vusumzi Kaka Dladla, 47, Norman Chikwekwete, 42, and Hamukwaya Hamukwaya, 35.
Their legal rights were explained to them. Chamunopioa indicated that he would get a private lawyer. Dladla said he would get a government-funded lawyer through legal aid, while Chikwekwete and Hamukwaya also said they would get private lawyers to handle their case.
They indicated they intend to plead not guilty. They were remanded in custody, but Magistrate Ilge Rheent informed them that they can make a formal bail application. Rowan van Wyk represented the State.
Poachers are raking in up to U$70 000 per kilogramme of rhino horn, which explains why the endangered beast remains on the receiving end of illegal hunting in the country.
This was revealed by Environment and Tourism Minister Pohamba Shifeta in an interview with New Era last month, when he expressed great concern over the increase in poaching in the country.
“Rhino poaching is lucrative business,” he said when asked why the poaching dust refuses to settle.
Shifeta said the price is lucrative on the so-called black market, where a kilogramme of rhino horn earns between U$60 000 and U$70 000.
“That’s why people are doing it,” Shifeta said, adding that neighbouring countries are experiencing much more poaching than Namibia.