An undocumented Congolese national, Francis Kipampa (51), was yesterday sentenced for poaching and money laundering.

Middelburg Observer reports Kipampa was arrested along with 15 others, who are expected to appear in the Nelspruit Commercial Crimes Court, Mbombela, on Monday. Kipampa has been awaiting trial since February 2023, while his co-accused were released on bail. The arrests were part of the Hawks’ investigation into Project Blood Orange.

During his brief appearance in the Middelburg Regional Court yesterday, Kipampa pleaded guilty to all charges.

Sentence

The offences were taken as one for purposes of sentencing. Kipampa was sentenced to 18 years’ imprisonment, with eight years suspended for five years, on condition that he is not convicted of the following offences during the suspension period:

• Conspiracy to commit crime (Riotous Assemblies Act 17 of 1956, Section 18(2)(a)).
• Executing a prohibited act in connection with protected species (National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004, Section 57(1)).
• Money laundering (Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998, Sections 4, 5, or 6).
• Violating the Immigration Act 13 of 2002 (Section 49(1)(a)) by unlawfully entering, staying, or leaving South Africa.

Advocate Kobus van der Walt of the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit secured a confiscation order valued at R5m under Section 18 of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998, representing the proceeds of Kipampa’s unlawful activities.

Additionally, the Hawks’ Asset Forfeiture Investigation team of the Priority Crime Specialised Investigation obtained a preservation order for R5m.

Mpumalanga Hawks head Major General Nico Gerber expresses satisfaction with the outcome.

“The annihilation of South Africa’s rhino population by individuals for self-enrichment will not be tolerated. The Hawks in Mpumalanga will do all it can to arrest and ensure conviction of those on the wrong side of the law. We will go after the proceeds generated through illegal activities with all the means at our disposal,” says Gerber.