KATIMA MULILO – Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism’s chief warden for the Kavango Zambezi Transfrontier Conservation Area (KAZA) Willem Ponahazo is accused of conspiring with poachers.

He was denied bail by the Okahandja Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.

The accused made his first court appearance on charges of conspiracy to hunt specially protected game (rhinos) and possession of a firearm and ammunition without a license. 

The State alleges that, in April 2025, Ponahazo couriered a gun to Windhoek, which was later retrieved by suspected poachers who then hunted and killed a rhino in the Okahandja district. 

Investigations traced the gun back to Ponahazo.

The Okahandja Magistrate’s Court issued a warrant for his arrest in December 2024. 

By then, Ponahazo was allegedly already in the United Kingdom for studies. 

He returned to Namibia over a week ago and was supposed to resume duty on 1 October. 

It is alleged that he did so without authorisation. 

When he allegedly learned police were on his tail, he abandoned the government vehicle at another office and went to Okahandja to turn himself in. 

The court postponed his case to 13 October for a formal bail hearing. -jmuyamba@nepc.com.na