Two of these accused, Mr Lawrence Baloyi and Mr Andre Mabanda are tasked with protecting our wildlife and are employed by SANParks as a Section Ranger and Trails Ranger respectively. These men have abused their positions to torture and kill rhinos for their own greed. It is our contention that people that abuse their positions to serve and protect should in fact get harsher sentences than regular poachers and should definitely not get given bail. Both Mr’s Lawrence Baloyi and Andre Mabanda have been suspected in the past of involvement in other rhino poaching incidents in the Kruger National Park, our flagship park. One of the poachers Johan Silinda who had ties with Mabanda and who was often seen in the company of Mabanda has since been shot and killed in the Kruger National Park whilst poaching. We need to send out a strong message to all employees in our National Parks that this will not be tolerated and people found to be involved in these crimes will not be given any leniency or bail. https://secure.avaaz.org/en/petition/The_Presiding_Magistrate_White_River_Magistrates_Court_White_River_DENY_BAIL_TO_SANPARKS_EMPLOYEES_CHARGED_FOR_RHINO_POA/
Posted on: Fri, 26 Sep 2014 05:41:54 +0000