Three poaching accused appeal against decision on bail

THREE men charged with allegedly poaching a rhino near Grahamstown for its massive horn are prepared to pay R35 000 in bail between them and adhere to any bail condition the court can throw at them.

This is according to Advocate Terry Price SC, who yesterday argued the bail appeal for Jabulani Ndlovu, 39, Forget Ndlovu, 36, and Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu.

He said Jabulani and Forget had indicated they could afford some R15 000 each, while Sikhumbuzo had indicated he could pay about R5 000 bail.

Police allege they caught the three men – who are not related – red-handed in a chalet at Grahamstown’s Makana Resort last year with a 10.27kg freshly harvested rhino horn, valued at close to R1-million, a saw, a dart gun and M99 tranquilliser.

The raid on the resort happened shortly after a white rhino bull was poached at nearby Buckland’s Game Reserve.

Several cellphones and SIM cards were also seized. Police have alleged the men are likely part of a large and sophisticated poaching syndicate and have hinted in court papers that they may be behind dozens of other rhino poaching incidents.

The three failed in their first bail bid last year before Grahamstown magistrate Ntsoki Moni.

Price argued that there had been many misdirections by the magistrate leading to her decision to deny them bail.

“They are prepared to adhere to any bail conditions,” he said.

But senior state advocate Buks Coetzee said the court should not interfere in a lower court’s decision unless it was satisfied the decision was wrong.

Judge John Smith reserved judgment.