Probe into rhino poachers’ bail

THE National Prosecuting Authority is investigating whether it can appeal against the bail granted to three suspected rhino poachers last week.

This was revealed after the office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) intervened, asking why crucial witnesses were not called.

Investigators in various provinces are probing a possible countrywide poaching syndicate responsible for the slaughter of almost 100 rhinos.

The Grahamstown High Court released Jabulani Ndlovu, 38, and Sikhumbuzo Ndlovu, 37, and Forget Ndlovu, 40, on R15 000 bail each on May 17.

They were rearrested two weeks later and charged in Hoedspruit.

On hearing that the trio had been given bail in Hoedspruit, Limpopo DPP advocate Ivy Thenga gave orders to look into the possibility of appealing against the granting of bail.

The Hoedspruit court released the three men on R5 000 bail each.