SANParks official in court again

Date: 05 December 2014 By: Isabel Venter

A South Africa National Parks (SANParks) employee, accused of selling illegal hunting packages to game hunters, again appeared in court this week.

Michael Sematla was arrested on 27 January, following several months of investigation by the SANParks Environmental Crime Investigative Unit. Sematla allegedly sold animals to hunters by means of fake permits.

SANParks first realized something was wrong when they discovered a giraffe carcass in Den Staat, which is an open-system park bordering the Mapungubwe National Park. Sematla was employed as a general worker for the Mapungubwe Park and allegedly used SANParks stationery to mislead professional hunters and game meat operators to hunt on Den Staat. Permits were allegedly issued for the hunting of leopards as well.

Sematla, who is currently out on bail, appeared in the Louis Trichardt District Court on Tuesday. His case was postponed for trial until 29 January 2015 to afford his attorney time to prepare his defence. 

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Isabel Venter

Isabel joined the Zoutpansberger and Limpopo Mirror in 2009 as a reporter. She holds a BA Degree in Communication Sciences from the University of South Africa. Her beat is mainly crime and court reporting.

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