By Lwazi Raul-Shongwe and Kopano Dibakwane
Poaching syndicate leader and kingpin, Simon Ernesto “Navara” Valoi, alongside his accomplice, Paulo Zukula, were recently sentenced to 27 and 24 years imprisonment respectively, by a Mozambican court.
The South African National Parks(SANParks) welcomed the sentencing of Valoi and Zukula, who were found guilty of crimes relating to financing terrosim, poaching, the sale of protected species, money laundering, the use of banned weapons, the use of forged documents, the sale and purchase of illegal guns as well as vehicles and criminal conspiracy.
According to Kruger National Park(KNP)spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, Valoi hails from a district which is about 330 km north of Maputo(Mozambique)called Massingir, which is adjacent to the KNP. Phaahla said Valoi is one of the rhino-poaching bosses who are known for targeting the park for illegal activities.
“ For a long time, his wealth and popularity as a recruiter of young men from his home that he would send across the border to hunt rhinos, shielded him from prosecution until he was finally arrested in July 2022,” said Phaahla.
He said Valoi and Zukula were apprehended by officers from the National Criminal Investigation Service(SERNIC) in Maputo after a coordinated operation with the Wildlife Justice Commission, whose mission is to disrupt and help dismantle organised crime networks trafficking in Wildlife, timber and fish.
“ During their arrest, authorities seized rhino horns. Several of Valoi’s relatives are also reported to have been detained on the grounds that they assisted the organised crime network,” Phaahla concluded.
