12 November 2012 | Press Releases
Gareth Morgan, Shadow Minister of Water and Environmental Affairs
There is good reason to celebrate the 40-year jail sentence handed down by a magistrate to Thai national, Chumlong Lemthongthai, for (among other things) the illegal trade in rhino horn and customs violations. The DA hopes the sentence will be retained if it is appealed. Not only is the sentence deserved considering the assault on South Africa’s rhino population by ruthless poachers and illegal traders, but it sends a strong signal to other individuals involved in this illicit business. Justice Minister Jeff Radebe welcomed the sentence on Friday, but regrettably made no comment about the withdrawal of charges against five of Lemthongthai’s co-accused. Lemthongthai pled guilty to 59 charges. With so many charges it is incomprehensible that prosecution was not pursued against other individuals.
