Accused a SIU officer, not an NPA official

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) responded last week to a report about an officer that was allegedly caught poaching in the Kruger National Park. 

The Zoutpansberger / Limpopo Mirror reported on 19 April on the 28-year-old Rabelani Rodney Ndou who was arrested on 14 April after he had allegedly killed a buffalo in the Mabalingwe area of the national park.

Following this report, the NPA said that their records did not reflect Ndou as one of their employees. The Zoutpansberger / Limpopo Mirror dug a bit deeper and was able to confirm that Ndou is in actual fact a forensic investigator of the country’s prime corruption-busting force, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

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 will 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.

Mr Boy Ndala, a spokesperson for SIU, confirmed on Tuesday that Ndou was an employee of the SIU.

Ndou was arrested after park rangers found the carcass of a buffalo. While investigating the carcass, 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.

A hunting rifle was found in Ndou’s possession. He was charged in the Louis Trichardt District Court with performing a restricted activity involving alien species without a permit and illegal access to a national park. After a brief appearance, he was released on R3 000 bail.

The police suspect that Ndou’s rifle might have also been used to kill a rhino in the national park, and have requested ballistic tests to be done on the weapon. Ndou will appear in court again on 4 June.

News - Date: 17 May 2013

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.

Email: [email protected]