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Ex-Hawk
fined for illegal hunting
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McIntosh Polela enters into plea agreement
FORMER Hawks spokesman McIntosh Polela was given a R30 000 fine and a 33-month suspended sentence yesterday. He had pleaded guilty to illegal hunting in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court, after entering into a plea agreement with the State. This was with the approval of Richard Schutte, of Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Accordingly, Polela’s .308 rifle, telescope, tripod holder and silencer, said to be valued at more than R20 000, which he had used in connection with the crimes, have been forfeited to Ezemvelo. In addition, he has been barred from hunting for two years. Polela pleaded guilty to six charges relating to an incident in February this year, near the Swamp Nature Reserve in Himeville. They wer carrying out a restricted activity involving a threatened species (reedbuck) without a permit; hunting reedbuck during the closed season; two charges of hunting ordinary game (grey duiker) without a permit; hunting by means of a prohibited method, by using an artificial light; and hunting during a prohibited time. Initially, he faced similar charges relating to an incident two months later in Besters, near Ladysmith. But these charges were withdrawn as part of the plea agreement. Polela said in the document Fthat, after concluding a business meeting with local officials, he was invited to join a hunting party during which he shot and killed a reedbuck and a grey duiker at night, with an artificial light and no permit. Having grown up in the area, he regarded it as his ancestral land and had often hunted there. However, he admitted he knew there was legislation controlling the hunting of certain buck and that he should have found out what they were before hunting. “He has no defence to the charges brought against him,” said the document. Polela’s personal circumstances included that he maintained his fiancée, 15-month-old daughter and various members of his extended family in Underberg. He was also employed as a talk radio show host and was a published author R24 000 a month. He had no previous convictions and was sorry for his actions, which resulted in him suffering extensive legal costs, having a criminal record, being declared unfit to obtain hunting permits for the near future, and having to face the humility of appearing in court and admitting his wrongdoings. The plea also said illegal hunting – referred to as poaching – had a devastating impact on the natural biodiversity in the province. The practice was also prevalent in Himeville. In total, Polela was sentenced to a R90 000 fine but R60 000 was suspended for five years on condition he does not commit the same or similar offences. He has to pay R10 000 before January 31 and the remainder before March. By Sharika Regchand The Star 13/12/13 Early Edition |
Sunday, March 2, 2014
Crimes of the South African Police Service
