MBOMBELA – The SAPS’ anti-corruption unit failed to investigate corruption and poaching charges levelled against three of its own timeously. When it came to light that investigations against Constables Arnold Mashele, Morris Sehlabela, Dennis Mkhonto and game ranger Mr Phineas Dinda had not yet been completed, the case against them was struck from the Nelspruit Regional Court’s roll recently.
Lowvelder had been reporting on the “three cops and a ranger” case for more than a year. In May 2014, the paper reported that Mashele and Sehlabela had been arrested after a joint operation between the Hawks and Kruger National Park officials.
It was alleged that Mashele and Sehlabela were assisting a suspected poacher (Dinda).
Since their arrest, they had applied for and appealed a number of bail applications, which were unsuccessful.
Mashele’s, Sehlabela’s and Mkontho’s applications started on June 4 last year. Dinda’s bail application was heard and denied on July 2.
On July 15, Mashele and Sehlabela applied for bail again, on the 22nd magistrate Ms Winnie Baloyi denied their request. Mashele brought a new bail application on a fresh set of facts, which was also denied by magistrate Mr Heki Ntombeni.
Sehlabela, Mkhonto and Mashele headed to the High Court to try their luck. Judge Mr Francois Botes did not grant their application.
He said they had a responsibility to protect our animals, which they had forsaken: “It is the responsibility of the SAPS and SANParks to protect rhinos from being poached. Members of the SAPS and SANParks should not take part in the illegal and unlawful poaching of rhinos.”
He said the case gave him great reason to worry and that our country’s national heritage was under siege.
This didn’t stop Mashele from applying for bail in the White River Magistrate’s court a month ago.
This time, his health served as motivation for his application. Magistrate Ms Winnie Baloyi again denied bail.
When the case against the four was withdrawn, magistrate Mr André Geldenhuys said it could be reinstated following more police investigations.
Also read: Controversial statement shocks in poaching case
