NEVER-ENDING POSTPONEMENT FOR RHINO POACHERS

"A Judge yesterday put on terms three men facing rhino-poaching charges for horn valued at R11.1 million. During a short appearance in the High Court in Grahamstown on Monday 6 November 2017 Jabulani Ndlovu (40), Forget Ndlovu (37) and Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu (38) were granted a postponement to 11 December. With 51 state witnesses on standby and the accused out on bail, this will be the seventh time the case has come before a Judge since the State sought to proceed with the trial in April this year. Yesterday was the sixth postponement. Jabulani Ndlovu (40), Forget Ndlovu (37) and Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu (38) were arrested at Makana Resort in Grahamstown in June 2016 after police found them in possession of the newly harvested horn of a white rhino bull killed at Bucklands Private Game Reserve near Grahamstown, together with a darting rifle and drugs, darts, saws, knives and camping gear. They are currently out on bail. Judge Jeremy Pickering yesterday granted the men a postponement to allow the first accused, Jabulani, to secure the services of the legal counsel of his choice.Advocate Mark Nettleton, who was appointed by Legal Aid to represent Jabulani, explained that his client had opted to be represented by top defence team advocate Terry Price, briefed by Port Elizabeth attorney Alwyn Griebenow. Price most recently represented Christopher Panayiotou, convicted of murdering his wife Jayde Panayiotou and due for sentencing on 17 November. Nettleton said Jabulani Ndlovu, who was in financial difficulty, had been referred to Legal Aid."

With an ineffective judicial system, these illegal poachers are never going to bring to justice. This will only provide a big loophole for the poaching industry to continue to thrive. I believe the government can do better than this.