Illegal rhino hunter sentenced to R1 million fine, 10 years in prison

The Lephalale game farmer, Antonio Freitas (57) who was arrested in January 2017 on charges relating to the illegal hunting of rhinos was sentenced to a R1 million fine or 10 years’ imprisonment by the Lephalale High Court on Monday.
Provincial Police Head of Corporate Communications Motlafela Mojapelo indicated that meticulous detective work by members of the Endangered Species Unit ensured that Freitas pleaded guilty to the charges. He said Freitas was convicted on charges of hunting of specially protected animals without a permit, possession of rhino parts without a permit and selling rhino meat without a permit.

The sentencing follows an incident in 2017 when investigations led Police to a cold room at Freitas’ farm in which eight rhino feet and two rhino carcasses were found. A decomposed rhino carcass, two rhino skins and rhino bones were also discovered elsewhere on the farm.
Provincial Police Commissioner Nneke Ledwaba commended Police members involved in the investigations and urged them to leave no stone unturned in further investigations into the matter. This after Police are still following up on information from the initial investigation that a helicopter was also seen in the vicinity of the farm which raised the suspicion that the rhino horns might have been taken elsewhere, according to Mojapelo.
Anyone with information can contact investigating officer Johannes Jurgens van Heerden on 082 814 4300.

Story: RC Myburgh
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