Alleged rhino poachers Dawie Groenewald and Schalk Steyn who were arrested last week for being in possession of 19 rhino horns have been released on R50 000 bail each.
The two were arrested on Wednesday, 21 July and appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
READ: Alleged poaching kingpin Dawie Groenewald to appear in court
‘We are investigating to ascertain if the suspects were linked to crimes contravening the Endangered Species Act,’ Hawks spokesperson Colonel Katlego Mogale said according to IOL.
Dawie Groenewald
Schalk Steyn
‘They were released on condition that they reported to their local police stations once a week and that they do not communicate with any witnesses,’ Mogale added. ‘Steyn was also instructed to hand over his passport to the investigating officer. Groenewald had already handed his passport over to the police as part of his bail conditions in another case. He appeared in court in 2010 and the matter is still pending.’
This latest arrest occurred while Groenewald was out on bail after a previous arrest in 2010, along with nine co-accused after 20 rhino carcasses were found buried on his farm. He has been out on bail since then and has evaded trial through what appears to be postponement and evasion tactics.
Pictures: Twitter
