Polokwane rhino horn kingpin sentenced in multimillion-rand plea deal
In a rhino horn trafficking case, stretching over many years, Dawie Groenewald has finally been sentenced to a R2m fine or four years in prison.
The State has closed its case against Dawie Groenewald and Tielman Erasmus in the Polokwane High Court, marking a significant development in a rhino horn trafficking case that has stretched over many years, reports the Polokwane Review.
Groenewald, whom prosecutors describe as the mastermind behind a large-scale rhino horn trafficking enterprise, has entered into a plea agreement on charges of rhino horn trafficking, racketeering and money laundering.
Groenewald was sentenced to a fine of R2m or four years’ imprisonment.
He also received a further 10 years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years, on the main count of managing an enterprise in contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act 121 of 1998.
On the remaining counts, he was sentenced to additional fines and terms of imprisonment, with the combined penalties amounting to more than R10m in fines and up to 36 years’ imprisonment, subject to suspension and concurrency provisions.
Sentencing conditions
The court imposed strict conditions restricting Groenewald’s involvement in rhino-related or other regulated wildlife activities for the duration of the suspension period.
He faces imprisonment if he fails to comply with the terms set out in the plea and sentence agreement.
The trafficking operation
The charges stem from a rhino horn trafficking operation linked to incidents dating back to 2008.
According to the indictment, Groenewald, in his capacity as manager of professional hunting outfitter “Out of Africa”, and through the use of professional hunters and other individuals, facilitated the sourcing of rhino horns from both his own rhinos and those of private owners for supply into the illegal wildlife trade in Southeast Asia.
The State accepted the plea agreement after considering the interests of justice, including that no rhinos were directly poached by the accused.
Other matters
The case against Karel Toet, his wife Marisa Toet, and Koos Pronk was postponed to 20 August pending representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions.
NPA position
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) says the outcome reflects a just resolution in a long-running matter, according to National Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Andy Mothibi and Director of Public Prosecutions Adv. Ivy Thenga.
Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.
Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.
Read original story on www.citizen.co.za
