WILDLEX

At the heart of this matter were the customary rights to marine resources. The appellants were tried at the Magistrate court and later appealed to the High Court in Mthatha. The Hight Court, however, held that their conduct was unlawful because they had not applied for an exemption as contemplated in the MLRA, granting them a permit to fish.

The court held that the appellants were protecting the lives of the cubs and as well as their legal interest in the survical of the cubs as the owners of the very expensive animals.

The appellant was found to have been complicit in the transaction where a fake rhino horn was sold in a police trap for R350 000. He was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment. The appellant unsuccessfully appealed to the Free State High Court against his conviction and sentence.

The accused persons Bandou Tangui Bertrand and Beka Octave Timolian were arrested flagrante delicto in the locality of Bazou by elements of the Nde divisional delegation of forestry and wildlife. They were found in possession of a three years old chimpanzee which they were about to sell.

The accused persons DIPAMBA JEAN and NDINTEH Georges were arrested flagrante delicto in the TONGA market in possession of trophies of class A totally protected animal species notably 01 Mandrill skull, 01 Elephant jawbone and thighbone.

The accused MABOU Benjamin was arrested in Baham in possession of two large leopard's skins, a totally protected animal species.

The accused KAMWA TADIE Augustine was arrested in Bandjoun by elements of the regional delegation of Forestry and Wildlife. He was found in possession of 01 Leopard skin in his plastic bag. During interrogation, he admitted the facts but named the co-offender, KUATE JOSEPH as the owner of the trophies.

On the 29 March 2007, the accused persons NEMBOT KAMDEM Thomas, KAMDEM Barnabe and TELLA Jean Pierre were arrested flagrante delicto by forces of law and order in possession of three (03) Leopard skins. During interrogation, they all pleaded not guilty and denied having captured or killed leopards.

The accused persons MELAT Blaise, MFONGOCK Didier, NYAMPE Charles II and ATOKI Suzanne were prosecuted before the Court First Instance, Dschang for illegal detention, circulation and attempted commercialization of trophies of totally protected animal species. On the 08 June 2018 judgement was passed.

On the 23 August 2007, the accused YOUMBISSI Michael was arrested flagrante delicto at Express Union, Bandjoun in possession of a bag containing 01 leopard skin.