Nine in court for Etosha poaching

Nine in court for Etosha poaching Four men appeared in the Opuwo Magistrate''s Court in connection with the wounded rhino found in the Etosha National Park last week.

The wounded rhino was discovered last Tuesday.

The case of Daniel Shilongo, Amupoko Risto Ekandjo, Petrus Ukongo and Epafras Kasita Eliakim was postponed to today for further investigation.

State Prosecutor Obert Masendeke told the court two other men allegedly connected to the case - Daniel Nghinyekua and Johannes Amwaama - made their first court appearance in the Kamanjab Magistrate''s Court on Monday, when their case was transferred to Opuwo.

They will appear before Magistrate Leena Iyambo with their co-accused today. The State objected to the granting of bail on the grounds that they might interfere with investigations and influence witnesses, while more arrests are expected.

The men are facing charges of the hunting of specially protected game (black rhino); conveying a firearm into a nature reserve; possession of a firearm without a licence; possession of ammunition; and entering a game park without written permission.

Another trio appeared before Iyambo on different charges related to the case. Erasmus Anghuwo appeared on charges of corruptly using his office or position for gratification, forgery and entering a game park.

The Namibian police''s crime investigation coordinator in Kunene, Deputy Commissioner Rudolf Kanyetu told Nampa on Monday Anghuwo is an employee of the Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry.

Anghuwo allegedly authorised his two co-accused, who are not government employees, to drive a government vehicle from Outapi to Etosha.

Mika Andreas and Sakeus Ngalandji are charged with forgery, use of a vehicle without the owner''s consent and entering or residing in a game park without permission.

Their case was postponed to 1 March 2017 for further investigation.

Kanyetu said there is a possibility that Anghuwo, Andreas and Ngalandji may face additional charges of poaching.

Police at Etosha''s Verda Gate in the Kunene Region are now investigating a case of rhino poaching.

NAMPA