POLOKWANE – The State has finalised its case against Dawie Groenewald and Tielman Erasmus in the Polokwane High Court, bringing an end to a legal saga spanning more than a decade.

Groenewald, regarded as the mastermind behind a large-scale rhino horn trafficking enterprise, entered into a plea agreement with the State on charges of trafficking rhino horns, racketeering and money laundering.

Also read: Alleged rhino poaching kingpin Dawie Groenewald faces new scrutiny in Botswana

Groenewald’s sentence

Groenewald was sentenced to:

• A fine of R2 million or four years’ imprisonment
• A further 10 years’ imprisonment, suspended for five years, on the main count of managing an enterprise (contravention of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act)

Groenewald was further sentenced to high-value fines and imprisonment on each of the other offences he was convicted on. The fines add up to more than R10 million and 36 years’ imprisonment.

Strict conditions imposed

The sentences effectively restrict Groenewald for the next five years to act strictly in accordance with legislation relating to his rhino-related activities or other restricted wildlife activities.

He faces a lengthy prison sentence if he does not comply with the strict conditions contained in the plea and sentence agreement.

The trafficking operation

The charges against Groenewald stem from a well-designed rhino horn trafficking enterprise with incidents dating back as far as 2008.

Also read: Dawie Groenewald to court in Feb 2026 for rhino poaching

According to the indictment, Groenewald, in his capacity as manager of professional hunting outfitter “Out of Africa” and by employing professional hunters and other individuals, managed the sourcing of rhino horns from his own rhinos and from other private rhino owners to fuel the black market in Southeast Asia.

The State agreed to the plea arrangement after considering all options in the interest of justice. A very important consideration was that no rhinos were poached by any of the accused.

Other cases postponed

The case against Karel Toet, his wife Marisa Toet and Koos Pronk was remanded to August 20 for the outcome of representations to the National Director of Public Prosecutions.

Also read: 14 years on: Trial date set for Dawie Groenewald, co-accused

NPA satisfied with outcome

The National Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Andy Mothibi, and the Director of Public Prosecutions, Adv Ivy Thenga, are satisfied with the outcome of the matter and say it ensures that justice has been served, even after decades of legal saga.