LENTE AWAITS HER FATE

The sentencing of Lente Roode, the owner of Hoedspruit Endangered Species Centre (HESC) is scheduled to take place on Friday, January 14 next year. This comes after both the state and the defendant presented their mitigating and aggravating factors before the magistrate on Tuesday, December 7 in the Lenyenye Regional Court. Roode has been found guilty of five counts and acquitted on alternatives to count five for contravening the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act and the Animal Disease Act. She contravened these acts when she moved four male cheetahs named Walter, Magnus, Tobie and Wim on April 4, 2020, without written permission. Limpopo National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson, Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi, said Roode allegedly unlawfully ordered that four cheetahs from HESC be released and moved to a neighbouring farm without obtaining the necessary permit to move the protected animals. “She carried out a restricted activity involving a specimen of a listed, threatened, or protected species without a permit,” she said.

“She failed to comply with control measures and did not obtain permits to move the animals from a state veterinarian. HESC has been breeding cheetahs since 1990 and focuses on the conservation of rare, vulnerable and endangered animal species. Cheetah conservation is one of their core disciplines. HESC was founded in 1994 by the accused’s father. The original plan was to assist nature conservation with confiscated animals Rehabilitation of rescued and injured animals was the main purpose of HESC. Currently, HESC breeds cheetahs for export purposes. Presenting his mitigating factors, Roode’s lawyer said when the cheetahs were moved, the sole intention was to find a suitable place for the animals and that they were released to help them, not for financial gain. He also pleaded that the defendant (Roode) not be given a hefty fine as she is in no position to do so.

Also read: Lente Roode’ sentencing postponed

However, state prosecutor Renier Roux called for Roode to be sentenced with a sentence that will show the world that South African courts are serious about maintaining their heritage. “If the court sentences the accused to the maximum penalty for the five counts convicted on, it will add up to a fine of R40 280 000 (forty million, two hundred and eighty thousand rands). “I would then request the court to consider sentencing the accused to a fine of R1.5 million or 18 months imprisonment on each of the first four counts and to R120 000 or three years imprisonment to count five,” Roux said. Roux further asked that R2 million or two years imprisonment be suspended for a period of five years on condition that the accused is not convicted of any offence in terms of restricted activities mentioned in the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act 10 of 2004 during the period of suspension.

“And also on count five to a further R120 000 or three years imprisonment suspended for five years on condition that the accused is not convicted for contravening any of the provisions in section 32 of the Animal Disease Act 35 of 1984. “Taking into consideration, the immense need for conservation and the cost involved with nature conservation the state request that the fine imposed by the court, be payable to stoprhinopoaching.com,” Roux said. Roux also called for the suspension of all permits issued in terms of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act and the Animal Disease Act 10 of 2004, because Roode indicated that her financial state is of such a nature that she cannot properly provide for the 110 cheetahs and other animals at the facility. The state called Dr David Gary Marneweck, a conservation strategy officer and a carnivore scientist at Endangered Wildlife Trust who gave his expertise on the major issues with captive cheetah facilities, one being that the animals usually suffer from chronic stress. Maruleng state veterinerian, Dr Christiaan Steinmann was also called on the witness stand by the state to give his version of events on the matter.