SIX ACCUSED ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN THE RHINO HORN TRAFFICKING SYNDICATE APPEARED IN COURT

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ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

SIX ACCUSED ALLEGEDLY INVOLVED IN THE RHINO HORN TRAFFICKING SYNDICATE APPEARED IN COURT

Six accused persons who are alleged to be involved in the rhino trafficking syndicate, John Frederick Hume (83), Former founder and owner of the Platinum Rhino Conservation Enterprise. Clive John Mervan Melville (63), Transport Maintenance Manager. Izak Hermanus Du Toit (50) Practicing attorney. Elizabeth Catharina Van Niekerk (58), Director of a non-profit organisation. Mattheus Hendrikus Wessels Poggenpoel (37), Insurance Broker and part time farmer and Johannes Abraham Hennop (52) Game Reserve Manager were all granted bail by the Pretoria Magistrates court.  

Hume was granted R100 000 bail, Melville and Van Niekerk were each granted R10 000 bail while Hermanus Du Toit, Poggenpoel and Hennop were each granted R20 00 bail.  

They are collectively facing a total of 55 charges of multiple counts of racketeering, fraud, contravention of the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act (NAMBA), contravention of contravention of Riotous Assemblies Act, theft and money laundering 

It is alleged that between 2017 and 2024, the accused operated an international rhino horn trafficking syndicate and defrauded the Department of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment (DFFE). They allegedly obtained permits to trade rhino horn locally, while intending to channel the horns into illegal international markets in Southeast Asia. 

The fraudulent scheme is estimated to involve 964 rhino horns valued at R250 million.

After intensive investigations by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (DPCI) Wildlife Trafficking Section of the Serious Organised Crime Investigation Unit, based at national headquarters, the six handed themselves over at the Pretoria Central Police Station on 19 August 2025, where they were formally arrested.

During bail proceedings, they all asked to be released on bail because they are not flight risk, they cooperated with the police investigations. Through their affidavits accused no 2 Melville disclosed to the court that he has 2019 previous conviction fraud and being in possession and transporting Rhino horns where he was sentenced to pay a fine. Accused no 5 Poggenpoel also disclosed to the court that he has 2009 previous conviction of possession of a Rhino horn where he paid an admission of guilt fee of R2500. Poggenpoel also disclosed that he has a pending case that will be appearing on 17 September 2025 at Winburg Magistrates’ Court because during the visit to his residence, the investigation team found ammunition that was not locked away in a safe and supposedly scheduled medicine without a permit.  

The state, Advocate Patsy Jacobs read into the record an affidavit by the investigating officer Edward Du Plessis, confirming that the State did not oppose bail as the accused were not flight risks, their addresses had been verified, and they had cooperated with investigators. The State, however, requested bail conditions.

The court granted bail with the following conditions:

• All accused must surrender their passports and may not apply for new travel documents while the matter is pending.

• They must report to their nearest police station once a week.

• They may not interfere with investigations, tamper with evidence, or influence witnesses.

• They must not commit any offences while on bail.

The matter was postponed to 09 December 2025 in Court 16 for further investigations.

 MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

PUBLIC STATEMENTS MADE BY CDE MALUSI GIGABA AND CDE SENZO MCHUNU

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

PUBLIC STATEMENTS MADE BY CDE MALUSI GIGABA AND CDE SENZO MCHUNU 

The African National Congress has noted with serious concern and disapproval the recent conduct and public statements made by Cde Malusi Gigaba and Cde Senzo Mchunu. Their conduct represents a flagrant violation of ANC internal communication protocols and undermines the fundamental discipline of the movement. 

These comrades acted outside of any sanctioned organisational mandate or collective structure making pronouncements that amount to deliberate de-campaigning of the ANC. Their remarks do not reflect the views of any legitimate structure of the movement and must be seen as an opportunistic assault on the collective image, credibility, and cohesion of the African National Congress. 

The ANC categorically states that it is a revolutionary movement guided by democratic centralism principles and led through disciplined structures. No comrade, regardless of their history or standing is above the requirements of organisational discipline. 

These comrades are casting aspersions on the character and unity of the ANC, portraying the organisation as divided, incoherent and collapsing. These actions serves only the strategic agenda of counter-revolution and weakens the people’s confidence in their movement. No disciplined comrade would out of their own volition make statements that embolden forces that have long sought to reverse the gains of our revolution. Communications in the ANC is a constitutional mandate of the Secretary-General, these powers are entrusted to the National Spokesperson for operational purposes. Any deviation from this established protocol undermines internal cohesion, unity and renewal. 

The ANC will take the necessary steps to correct this behaviour and no comrade will be exempt from the discipline of the organisation which demands unity, discipline, and revolutionary morality from all. As we advance the programme of renewal in the ANC and society, we must intensify our efforts to serve our people with humility and dignity. 

The renewal programme cannot co-exist with ill-discipline; we have no tolerance for conduct that seeks to weaken the collective. 

We call on all members and leaders of our movement to return to the basic principles and values of our movement, and be committed to respecting the integrity and sanctity of our organisational processes. 

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

COPS MOONLIGHTING AS TAXI BOSSES WILL BE PROSECUTED

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

COPS MOONLIGHTING AS TAXI BOSSES WILL BE PROSECUTED

We received complaints and allegations that certain police officials are involved in the taxi industry and that they and their spouses/partners are operating taxis.

Police officials, as custodians responsible for the enforcement of the National Land Transport Act (NLTA), cannot be involved in the “taxi industry”.

Based on the provisions of section 13 of the NLTA, no police official, his or her spouse are allowed to own taxis. Police officers and their spouses therefore commit an offence should they own taxis or otherwise are involved in the public transport industry.

They also contravene the National Instruction 18 of 2019: Integrity Management in the South African Police Service. All police officials are well aware of this national instruction and are sensitised on a frequent basis of integrity management.

If any police official is found to be involved in a prohibited industry, such as the transport or security sector, a disciplinary investigation must be initiated for the purpose of remedial steps.

Where there are allegations, suspicions or complaints that police officers (or their spouse, partners and/or immediate family) are involved in the public transport industry and there is sufficient information available, line managers/commanders must immediately institute internal disciplinary processes and where applicable also register criminal case dockets.

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

Qalakabusha Prison Bakery stands idle while Minister speaks of self-sustainability

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

 ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

Qalakabusha Prison Bakery stands idle while Minister speaks of self-sustainability

During an oversight visit to Qalakabusha Correctional Centre in Empangeni, KwaZulu-Natal, on 14 August 2025, the DA found that the prison’s bakery — built with the facility’s own labour and resources — remains idle despite assurances earlier this year that it would be operational. View images here, here, here and here. View video here. 

The DA calls on the Minister of Correctional Services, Dr Pieter Groenewald, to prioritise the immediate installation of bakery equipment at Qalakabusha; provide an implementation timeline for making the bakery fully operational; and conduct a site visit to see firsthand the consequences of his Department’s neglect.

The findings of the oversight are particularly troubling given the Minister’s recent pronouncements about the need for correctional facilities to become self-sustaining, with a specific emphasis on bakeries and food production.

The DA will submit parliamentary questions to the Minister to determine the progress of self-sustainability at all correctional facilities.

At Qalakabusha, the bakery has a trained team of staff and inmates ready to begin operations. However, the facility has only one mixer and none of the additional equipment required to make the bakery functional. This represents a lost opportunity to

- Cut costs significantly on bread and food provision;

- Provide skills training and rehabilitation for inmates; and

- Advance the Department’s own stated goals of self-sufficiency.

The Minister must personally visit Qalakabusha to see the gap between policy pronouncements and on-the-ground realities. It is unacceptable that a bakery capable of saving taxpayers millions of rand, while simultaneously contributing to rehabilitation, stands unused due to departmental inaction.

While there are many infrastructure challenges at Qalakabusha — including non-functional laundry machines, widespread plumbing failures, and broken access control equipment — the bakery is a clear example of how lack of follow-through directly undermines the Department’s strategic objectives.

The Department speaks of sustainability, but at Qalakabusha the reality is wasted opportunity. The Minister must act, not just talk.

 MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

ABANDONMENT OF BAIL APPLICATION IN ELDORADO PARK CHILD MURDER AND ABUSE CASE

MAKEKASIGREAT©®™ @KASIBC_AFRICA

ONLINE EDITOR @KASIBC_AFRICA

 

ABANDONMENT OF BAIL APPLICATION IN ELDORADO PARK CHILD MURDER AND ABUSE CASE

The Portfolio Committee on Community Safety in the Gauteng Provincial Legislature notes the decision by the two accused in the Eldorado Park case facing charges of murder, rape, and child abuse of a 4-year-old child to abandon their bail application at the Protea Magistrate Court today.

 

The Committee views this decision as a clear acknowledgment by the accused of the seriousness of the charges they face. It is the Committee’s firm position that individuals accused of such heinous crimes should remain in custody, as they pose a grave threat to the safety and well-being of our communities.

 

As elected representatives of the people of Gauteng, the Committee will continue to monitor developments in this matter closely until its conclusion. It calls on law enforcement agencies and the judiciary to ensure that a watertight case is presented. Furthermore, the Committee urges the courts to impose the harshest possible sentences should the accused be found guilty.

 

The Committee stands in solidarity with the community of Eldorado Park and all those affected by this tragic case. It remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for justice, accountability, and the protection of women and children who continue to bear the brunt of gender-based violence and violent crimes in our province.

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