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.

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.

Since 2009, after obtaining a wildlife management license from the Forestry Bureau of Yichang, Chen had been operating wild animals in Luofo Village, Taipingxi Town, Yiling District, Yichang City.

From August to December 2012, the defendant Zhao used his own house as a business place and for the purpose of illegal profit, purchased goral products under second class state protection from Tian and Zhang (all handled separately), valued at 24,654 yuan. Zhao confessed to having illegally purchased rare and endangered wild animals.

In November 2010, Xianjin G. purchased a black bear under second class state protection from Lu and Hu at a price of 4,400 yuan. Later, Xianjin G. sold the black bear to Li and Song. On January 22, 2013, Xianjin G. purchased a wild goat from Pan at a price of 800 yuan. The wild goat was found and seized from Xianjin G.'s house.

The accused were charged with various counts in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (“POCA”). The court was presented with evidence which led to the accused’s’ arrest. During the trial, it became apparent that there was an informer who was working for the Scorpions and was gathering information of the crime syndicate.

The court considered an appeal against the sentenced imposed on the appellants on the basis that they are shockingly inappropriate and out of kilter with other cases and that the court below didn’t take into account their personal circumstances.

On 17 – 18 June 2016 at Bucklands Farm, in the district of Albany, in the course of which a white rhino known as Cambell, belonging to one Ian Steward, was darted with a tranquilizer gun and its horn removed, resulting in the death of the rhino. The police were working on Operation Full Moon as Rhino poaching was rife.

The applicant sought an order declaring the respondent’s motor vehicle forfeit to the state following his arrest for illegal poaching. The court dismissed the application on the basis that being motion proceedings, the matter had, there being no request for a referral for oral evidence, to be decided on the respondent’s version.

A simultaneous appeal and review was brought concerning the customary rights of the Dwesa-Cwebe communities to access marine resources in a marine protected area. An appeal was brought against the conviction and sentence of the accused for, among others, fishing or attempting to fish in a marine protected area.