Cape Town – A Gauteng couple was sentenced in the Kempton Park Regional Court for their involvement in smuggling reptiles from South Africa.
Gerald van der Westhuizen was fined R1 million, with half suspended for five years, provided he avoids similar offences.
His wife, Elisha, received a five-year direct imprisonment sentence, wholly suspended for five years.
The couple was connected to two German nationals previously convicted of reptile smuggling.
The successful conviction resulted from an analysis conducted by the Environmental Enforcement Fusion Centre, which revealed that Gerald had illegally sent Sungazer lizards to Germany and Mexico on three occasions.
Sungazers are the largest lizards in the girdled lizard group, known for looking up towards the sun, hence their name.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Ms. Barbara Creecy, welcomed the sentences, highlighting the significance of combating wildlife trafficking and disrupting organised crime related to illegal wildlife trade.
“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,” Creecy said on Thursday.
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Compiled by Betha Madhomu
