Two rhino and shark poachers were sentenced to a total of 14 years imprisonment by the Middelburg Regional Court for charges related to the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act on 19 November 2021.
Confiscated rhino horn. Picture: SAPS
In a statement, South African Police Service (SAPS) spokesperson Captain Dineo Sekgotodi said that a father and son – Alberto Nharreluga and Alberto Nharreluga Jnr – were travelling on the N4 in Nelspruit when they were stopped by Middelburg Flying Squad members in April 2019.
Upon searching their vehicle, members of the Flying Squad found two rhino horns and shark fins in their possession. The suspects attempted to evade arrest with a R20 000 bribe. ‘During the arrest, the suspects tried to entice the police officials with a kickback but failed,’ Sekgotodi stated. The duo applied for bail in 2020 but these efforts proved fruitless.
They were charged and the case was assigned to the Hawks team for investigation, and they remained in custody throughout the trial. ‘They were sentenced to six years for possession of rhino horns, five years for corruption and three years for possession of a shark fin.’
In a separate incident, two more suspects in the Northern Cape were found in possession of protected reptiles, including four tortoises and ’28 rare lizards’, and were subsequently arrested according to News24. They are expected to appear in Upington Magistrate’s Court on 22 November.
Pictures: Getaway Gallery
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