Zuko Komisa
Gauteng couple sentenced for smuggling sungazer lizards to Germany and Mexico.
Gerald van der Westhuizen had transported unlawful Sungazer lizard to Germany and Mexico on three separate occasions, according to a study of WhatsApp chats.
The sungazer lizzard, is the largest species of the Cordylidae, a family of lizards from sub-Saharan Africa.
On Monday, the Kempton Park Regional Court handed down a sentence to the pair.
Through an investigation by the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre, the Gauteng couple was connected to two German citizens who had previously been found guilty of smuggling lizards and other reptiles out of South Africa.
Gerald was given an R1 million fine, half of which was suspended for five years if he was not found guilty of a similar offense, while Elisha received a five-year direct prison sentence.
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Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment Barbara Creecy has applauded the conviction and the sentencing of the couple.
“The conviction and sentencing demonstrate the important work being undertaken in implementing the National Integrated Strategy to Combat Wildlife Trafficking with a focus on disrupting transnational organised crime, and targeting the value chain and financial crimes linked to the illegal wildlife trade,” said Creecy.
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