A couple have been sentenced to pay a R40,000 fine or serve one and a half years behind bars for the unlawful possession of reptiles.
CapeNature welcomed the sentence that was handed down at the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court last week, in connection with seven counts linked to the contravention of the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974.
Mr Zirkie Bernardus Jansen and Mrs Valerie Gayle Simpson-Jansen were arrested in Kirstenhof in March 2022 for illegally transporting and keeping 95 reptiles without the necessary permits. Among the reptiles in their possession were crested geckos, New Caledonian geckos, gargoyle geckos and ball pythons.
“The court also convicted the Jansens of failing to comply with permit conditions, failing to provide a satisfactory account for the possession of certain animals and submitting false information in connection with a wild animal permit application,” read CapeNature’s statement on the matter.
The public conservation agency noted that the Western Cape’s wildlife permitting system is in place to ensure that the handling of wildlife is done responsibly, lawfully and in a manner that supports biodiversity conservation. As such, CEO Dr Ashley Naidoo is hopeful that the sentence handed down to the accused will curb illegal wildlife trade in future.
“The unlawful trade and keeping of wildlife undermines biodiversity conservation, threatens the integrity of our regulatory systems and place law-abiding permit holders at a disadvantage. We welcome the court’s decision and trust that it sends a clear message that deliberate non-compliance with conservation legislation will have consequences,” said Naidoo.
CapeNature further encourages those involved or interested in wildlife-related matters (whether to acquire, keep in captivity, transport, capture, release or trade) to be mindful of the related laws.
Meanwhile, if you would like to report a wildlife crime, you can contact CapeNature on 087 087 9262 or report it to the South African Police Service on 08600 10 111.
“CapeNature is committed to dealing with wildlife crime through proactive compliance monitoring, investigations and collaboration with the South African Police Service Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit and the National Prosecuting Authority. Protecting biodiversity relies on the collective efforts of government, responsible wildlife keepers and the public.”
