WHILE the death count of rhinos in KZN for 2016 is now numbering 95, the trial of alleged rhino poaching syndicate leader Dumisani Gwala and his co-accused, Wiseman Makeba and Aubrey Dlamini, was already postponed on day one.
The trial was supposed to commence last Monday at Ngwelezana Regional Court, but while the state was ready to call its first witnesses, both defence attorneys said they were not ready to proceed.
Members of another alleged rhino syndicate – Mtungokwakhe Khoza, Ayanda Buthelezi, Mduduzi Xulu and Sifiso Ngema – who are accused of slaying a white rhino in the iMfolozi Gamte Reserve in 2009, are still on trial.
The four were arrested with two rhino horns, a 303 hunting rifle and axes in their car.
The trial is ongoing in the Richards Bay Regional Court.
The accused on several occasions changed lawyers, causing years of delays.
Cedric Coetzee, provincial rhino security manager with Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, said tighter security in the Kruger Park drove poaching to KZN and the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park where the highest density of white rhinos can be found.
Read the full story in the ZO Weekender edition.
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