2017
R1-20/FREE
12 May
Four arrested
Dice game ends in tears
for poaching Justin Steyn Four men have been arrested in connection with poaching at Koedoeskop near Thabazimbi. According to Ben Engelbrecht, a director of the Heritage Protection Group
Dogs that were allegedly used for hunting were discovered laying among warthog carcasses. Photo supplied
This is the tavern where the murder incident is alleged to have taken place. Photo: Lizzy Bapela Lizzy Bapela
Four men have been arrested for alleged poaching in Koedoeskop. Photo supplied (HPG), the arrests were made as a result of a roadblock. Engelbrecht said the Nissan 1400 bakkie that the suspects were using was ordered to pull over after suspicious behaviour in the area had been reported. “There has been a lot of poaching reported in the area and farmers and police have become more vigilant. In this case, HPG was informed of the vehicle’s presence in the area, and members on patrol followed for a time before ordering
it to stop,” he said. Engelbrecht said the members were horrified to find a number of hunting dogs in the back of the bakkie with three warthog carcasses. “Our members found dogs that were reportedly used for hunting,” Engelbrecht said. “They also discovered that three warthog carcasses had been placed where the dogs had been sleeping. Hunting spears were also found in the back of the bakkie. The
poachers tried to cover everything up by covering the dogs and the carcasses with a canvas.” He said the men were arrested at the scene. The dogs have been sent to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) for rehabilitation. “All they know is how to hunt, and they appear to have been mistreated,” he said. “They need to be placed in a safer environment.” A spokesperson for the Thabazimbi police could not be reached for comment.
A Bela-Bela family is making funeral arrangements, while another family is visiting their relative in custody after a dice game went badly wrong. The events took place on Saturday, 6 May, at the Tears of Joy Tavern near the entrance of Extension 6. According to Lieutenant-Colonel Abel Phetla of the Bela-Bela police, Elias Makwela (36) and Amos Moeng (23) had an argument over the outcome of a dice game. They are alleged to have parted ways, but then bumped into each other at the tavern and argued again. Eyewitnesses told the police that the men argued heatedly, and alleged that Makwela stabbed Moeng in the back. Moeng is alleged to have retaliated, and Makwela was seen falling after being stabbed several times. Makwela passed away at the scene, while Moeng was rushed to the local hospital to receive medical attention. Phetla said Moeng was not badly injured, and he was treated and then released instead of being admitted. Moeng appeared before the Bela-Bela magistrate’s court on Monday, 8 May. Phetla said the police are concerned at the number of murders reported lately, and said that the police are working hand in hand with the community to ensure that justice is served. The police encouraged young people to be careful and avoid becoming involved in arguments and fights.