Their appearance follows the arrest of a SANParks employee, Michael Sematla in January this year who is out on bail after facing similar charges.
Eleven (11) of the hunters were issued admission of guilt fines by the Magistrate court. The fines range between R1 500.00 and R4 500.00 depending on what animals were hunted, which brings the total amount paid to R37 000.00.
The case of one of the hunters was postponed and the accused will appear alongside Mr Sematla on 7 March 2014. The prosecution of the hunters and the SANParks employee follows months of investigations after a giraffe carcass was found with three bullet shots in the park. The SANParks Environmental Crime Investigative Unit was instrumental in the arrest and the fines paid by some of the hunters.
For previous media statements please go to www.sanparks.org
South African National Parks (SANParks) Corporate Communications
Tel: 012 426 5170
Ike Phaahla
Media Specialist SANParks.
Tel: 012 426 5315; Cell: 083 673 6974
Email: [email protected]
Or
Divhani Maremba
Regional Communications Manager (Mapungubwe, Marakele & Golden Gate Highlands National Parks)
Tel: 012 426 5304; Cell: 082 941 9980
Email: [email protected]