Field rangers remanded in custody for money laundering
Daniel Shikwa Maluleke and Solly Ubisi two former field rangers of the Kruger National Park, were remanded in custody by the Skukuza Regional Court on Monday April 25.
Daniel Shikwa Maluleke and Solly Ubisi were arrested on Saturday afternoon, April 23, in Skukuza, and charged with corruption, money laundering and fraud linked to wildlife trafficking.
The suspects were arrested by the Mpumalanga Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation team, assisted by the Skukuza Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit, during Operation Blood Orange.
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A comprehensive investigation that included financial affairs was issued after the arrest. According to the police, the suspects allegedly provided tactical information to rhino poaching syndicates in exchange for large sums of money.
The suspect were remanded in custody until May 14 for formal bail application. The provincial head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, Maj Gen Zodwa Mokoena, appreciated the teams’ multidisciplinary investigation and congratulated them for their dedication to stopping crime. “As we face criminal offences that jeopardise the wildlife and tourism parks of Mpumalanga, it is fortunate that we have the police and team members to stop it in its tracks,” said Mokoena.
He requested anyone with any information about this case to contact the Hawks’ investigating officer, Col Danie Hall, on 071 481 3281.
