WILDLEX

The Appellant had been convicted of unlawful possession of abalone without a valid permit, in contravention of regulations issued under the Marine Living Resources Act 18 of 1998. He appealed against his conviction.

This is an appeal against a sentence. The appellant was charged with two counts:
1. Failing to declare the possession of 12 rhinoceros horns, contravening section 15(15)(b) read with section 1, 81, 87(1), and 95 of the Customs and Exice Act, No. 91 of 1964.

The accused and three other men were inside the Ndumo Game Reserve on 19 November 2011 at 17:00. One man was carrying a firearm. Game rangers patrolling in the Reserve caught sight of the men in pursuit of a rhino. The rangers ordered the man to put down the firearm. Instead, he turned and pointed it at the rangers.

This is an application for leave to appeal against the sentence.

Ms Khohliso, a traditional healer from Tsolo in the former Transkei was convicted by the Tsolo Magistrates’ Court for the possession of a pair of vulture feet in contravention of section 13(c) read with section 84(13) of the Transkei’s Decree 9 of 1992.

In November 2004, the defendant Angweng Barong bought a rhino horn from an Indian businessman for 55000 India Rupees. Afterward, he wrapped the rhino horn in white cloth in the secret compartment of a small wooden cabinet (old Tibetan cabinet) and then he paid a local carpenter to board up the cabinet.

On October 19, 2000, at 10:40 pm, the defendant Zhang Yi (a united Arab emirates passport holder) was contacted by Customs and Border Protection officers in the passenger inspection area of Beijing Capital International Airport. The inspectors asked him to open his bag, but the defendant refused to cooperate initially.

In mid-November 2006, the defendant Wang Jiangdu cooperated with Wang Tianjian and transported a batch of “seafood” to China via Xiamen-Jinmen Sea Area for a Taiwanese businessman.

The defendant Cen Zahangyao colluded with overseas person Ayazi and defendant Wuzheng, whilst planning to smuggle saker falcons (national key protection animals) out of China to other countries. After some negotiations, Wu Zheng took responsibility for booking cargo space, arranging customs documents.

This is a judgement on appeal at the Supreme Court.