Call for tough sentence for rhino poaching "kingpin"

Warning:

This article may contain graphic and/or adult content unsuitable for minors and sensitive readers.

Read the article

Environmental Affairs Minister, Edna Molewa, has called for stiff penalties for rhino poaching kingpin, Thai national Chumlong Lemtongthai.

On Monday he pleaded guilty to illegally obtaining hunting permits that led to the illegal exportation of nearly 26 rhino horns.
He is expected to be sentenced in the Kempton Park magistrate's court on Wednesday.

Molewa has meanwhile lauded law enforcement officials for making 222 arrests this year. However, the number of rhinos killed continues to rise with the number now standing at 528.

"... the Kruger National Park remains the hardest hit, having lost a total of 320 rhino since the beginning of this year. SANParks is also working closely with Denel as part of government's collaborative efforts to combat the poaching scourge on a number of fronts," Molewa said in a statement.

"In April this year the Department of Environmental Affairs implemented revised norms and standards for the marking of rhinoceros horn, and for the hunting of rhinoceros for trophy purposes. This saw the introduction of stricter controls for the granting of trophy hunting permits in South Africa and illustrated the serious light in which the Department views the possible abuse of the permit system," she added.

The Ministry says "the new norms and standards clearly stipulate that hunting applicants must, amongst others, submit proof of membership to a recognized hunting association, may only hunt one white rhinoceros within a twelve month period and the hunt must be accompanied by an environmental management inspector or an official of the issuing authority."

"The official accompanying the hunt must also take DNA samples of the rhino horn and fit it with a micro-chip."

"These controls were put in place to prevent the issuing of fraudulent hunting permits. It should be noted that should there be a clear abuse or absolute collapse in any of these controls or of provincial permitting systems, then the Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs reserves the right to institute a moratorium on hunting of rhinoceros."