It is a sad day when those who are supposed to protect and enforce the law end up among fellow criminals behind bars.

Rabelani Rodney Ndou (31), who was employed as an investigating officer of the Special Investigations Unit (SIU), was found guilty on charges relating to poaching in the Kruger National Park (KNP). He appeared before the Louis Trichardt Regional Court last Tuesday (22/3).

Ndou was arrested on 15 April 2013 in the KNP, after he had killed a buffalo cow with his own registered .308 hunting rifle. At the time, while park rangers were investigating the scene, Ndou and three other suspects approached the scene. When they noticed the rangers, they allegedly tried to run away. Ndou was arrested while the other three suspects managed to get away.

The SIU is a public entity with powers of investigation and litigation to take civil action to correct any wrongdoing it uncovers – courtesy of a presidential proclamation. According to the SIU’s website, where criminal matters are concerned, they bring the matter to the attention of their close partners, the Hawks, in the South African Police Service (SAPS), as well as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA). The SIU also works closely with the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in the NPA for the effective recovering of the proceeds of crime.

Ndou denied the charges put against him, but on Tuesday the court found him guilty on single counts of the possession of a firearm with the intent to hunt illegally and trespassing.

After the court’s verdict, Ndou’s bail was revoked. He will now remain in custody until 7 April, when the court will sentence him.