30 Mar 2021

A total of 187 suspects were arrested for poaching related incidents in the Kgalagadi South constituency from 2017 to date.

Minister of Defence, Justice and Security, Mr Kagiso Mmusi said Tsabong Police Station arrested 76, Werda 37, Middlepits 57 and Bokspits 17.

Mr Mmusi said out of 187 arrested, 94 suspects were arraigned before court for poaching related crimes; hunting without a license, unlawful possession of government trophy and killing protected animals.

He further told Parliament that currently, 17 suspects’ cases remained pending and trial dates had been set while the 17 suspects were accused persons in six different cases.  

The most poached species in the constituency is Gemsbok followed by Eland.
Minister Mmusi stated that 30 cases involving 93 suspects were at different levels of police investigations (assessment of evidence by the Directorate of Public

Prosecution, species identification (DNA test), and forensic examination of riffles by ballistic experts.

He was responding to a question from Kgalagadi South MP, Mr Sam  Brooks, who had asked the Minister of Defence, Justice and Security to state the number of people, individuals or groups who were arrested for poaching in the Kgalagadi South constituency per village or police station since 2017.

MP Brooks had also wanted to know those who were taken to court and prosecuted; and those with pending court cases, if any, and the reason for the delay.  ENDS