UPDATE: Alleged rhino poachers still in custody #poachingsyndicates
They appeared in court today. #poachingsyndicates
WHITE RIVER – The six accused on charges related to rhino poaching appeared one final time for their bail hearing today.
Joseph Nyalunga (Big Joe), Petros Sidney Mabuza (Mr Big/Mshengu), Clyde Mnisi, who are allegedly high up in the rhino poaching ranks, as well as Claude Lubisi, Aretha Mhlanga and Rachel Qwebana, were arrested last month and their bail application started on October 8.
The defence gave their final arguments as to why bail should be granted listing various reasons for all six the accused including the fact that they are not flight risks and that they will not intimidate any of the witnesses.
Time caught up with the hearing and the state will submit their final arguments in writing to magistrate Ngobeni on Monday along with a final argument from Nyalunga’s defence.
He is also appealing for bail on an additional charge related to illegal hunting.
The matter has been postponed to November 2 for verdict on the bail application.
24 October:
WHITE RIVER – The bail application of the six accused who are appearing on charges related to rhino poaching, continued last Friday.
ALSO READ: Rhino poaching task force afraid as bail application continues
Phineas Lubisi was previously charged with them, but received bail of R10 000. The safety of witnesses, should the six get bail, came under scrutiny as investigating officer capt Leroy Bruwer was still on the stand.
The case was postponed to October 25 when the bail hearing is scheduled to continue.
ALSO READ: Community calls for release of alleged rhino horn kingpins
