Nine South African ‘rhino industry insiders’ are expected to appear in court today.
Police in South Africa are closing in on a notorious rhino poaching syndicate responsible for killing hundreds of the pachyderms and selling their horns to Asian markets.
Two veterinarians, two safari operators, and a professional hunter are among nine people who were arrested Monday during a police raid that spanned across Polokwane, Musina, and Modimolle.
Police spokesperson Vish Naidoo said via Eyewitness News that the police are expected to oppose bail.
We are going to ask for all nine suspects to be remanded in custody to allow for detectives to further their investigations for at least seven days.
The following individuals are expected in the Musina magistrate’s court today:
- Dr. Karel Toet – Nylstroom animal clinic and Limpopo Wildlife
- Marisa Toet – Nylstroom animal clinic and Limpopo Wildlife
- Dr. Manie du Plessis – Nylstroom animal clinic
- Dawie Groenewald – Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris in Polokwane
- Sariette Groenewald – Out of Africa Adventurous Safaris in Polokwane
- Tielman Erasmus – professional hunter
Today also happens to be World Rhino Day, a global campaign to bring attention to the rhino poaching scourge in South Africa.
Over 600 rhinos has been killed since 2005, bringing rhino poaching to its highest levels in 16 years. Illegal rhino horn is in demand for use in traditional medicines in China and Vietnam, although rhino horn has been thoroughly analyzed and contains no medicinal properties.
Source: Eyewitness News
Image via Wikimedia Commons
![Rhino Horns and Trophies Exported to Asia from South Africa 2000 – 2010 [Infographic]](http://www.rhinoconservation.org/wp-content/plugins/special-recent-posts/lib/phpimage.php?width=100&height=100&rotation=no&file=L2hvbWUyL2Jpb2RpdmUxL3B1YmxpY19odG1sL3dwLWNvbnRlbnQvdXBsb2Fkcy8yMDEyLzA1L1JoaW5vVHJvcGhpZXNIb3Juc0luZm9ncmFwaGljVGh1bWJuYWlsLmpwZw==)
These people who were trained to save animal lives do not deserve to ever practice again as veterinarians. In fact, jail is the only place for them. The same goes for the wife and their partners in crime. Their only reason is monetary gain. They would know that rhino horns have no medicinal values. Their property, and any financial benefits they have gained through the paoching business should be confiscated. And may they rot in jail!
I agree totally, with Marie-Louise. These are privileged, educated people who know better. Let them rot in hell……..
It is despicable that anyone who had the privilege to study and participate in such magnificent industries can bring them into disrepute, to say nothing of destroying exquisite animals in a country that is known for this particular magnificence. I am so glad you have been caught (as will any others who are involved).
Remember you will be judged not only here on earth, but by these heinous deeds and atrocities you have committed – it is ironical that you are appearing in court today ON WORLD RHINO DAY.
You are a disgrace to your professions and deserve to face the harshest punishment imaginable – talk about TERRORISTS AND HIJACKERS – Shame on you for letting humanity down for the love of money – power and greed! If I could, I would dehorn each and everyone of you myself!!!!
May every single one of us call for karma to all of these filthy, greedy trash of society. Ask everyone you know and everyone of your friends on FB to ask every one of theirs etc. etc. etc. to meditate a request to the universe to bring justice to each of these low life scum. Remember the scum that chain-sawed the husky puppy’s head off a few years back and only got a two year sentence? (Typical SA – like these bastards getting bail now). Well shortly after the husky puppy psychopath was sentenced karma did what the law had failed to do and he was decapitated in a car accident! YES PLEASE!!!! GOOD RIDDANCE. Now we all have to ask the universe to mete out justice to every SOB and is sick little greedy wife and give them their just deserts too. There is nothing wrong with asking for justice. It is the law of the universe. The big wheel must keep on turning on the energy we all put out there so it turns faster. Spread the word on your sites to boycott all their businesses as well, OUT OF AFRICA, their game lodges, their veterinary practices etc. SHUN THEM and make them wish they had never taken their first breath.
I cannot understand how these people are allowed out on bail! They should be locked up and all their financial gains taken away from them and used to better monitor the rhino out in their habitat. People that are supposed to be saving the lives of animals are now slaughtering them to make more money to live a more lavish lifestyle. Shame on you!!! But I believe what comes around, will go around, so I am sure they will get their just rewards in time to come. When are we in South Africa going to realise that it is such a priviledge to be part of our wildlife which is our, and our children’s heritage for years to come.