Prophet Babi remanded in custody

By Confidente Reporter

THE case in which self-proclaimed prophet Jackson Babi (30) and his co-accused Frizans Dumeni (25) appeared for the alleged possession of two rhino horns, a rifle and ammunition was postponed to 24 July to allow further police investigations.

The duo appeared in the Windhoek Magistrates Court yesterday where they were also informed that their bail application will be heard at a later stage.

They face four charges of possession or dealing in parts of rhino, hunting of specially protected game, possession of firearm without a license and possession of ammunition.

Preliminary investigations reveal that between 26 and 27 May at a house in Windhoek’s Kleine Kuppe area, the suspects wrongfully and unlawfully possessed or dealt in controlled game products; two rhino horns without a permit.

Babi and Dumeni were arrested last week, while six others were also arrested for their role that led to the poaching of the two rhinos.  Those arrested include a former NDF member, a police officer attached to VIPP.

Investigations further revealed that on a farm in Gobabis, an employee discovered two poached rhino carcasses of which both pair of horns were illegally removed.

Suspicion is that the suspects shot and killed the rhinos with a rifle.

Follow up investigations led detectives to Otjiwarongo, where a covert operation was conducted. Two rhino horns were found in the possession of four suspects, when they tried to sell the horns to an undercover police officer.

A follow up on the Otjiwarongo investigations further led the detectives to Babi’s house in Kleine Kuppe in Windhoek, where another two rhino horns, a hunting rifle and ammunition were confiscated.

The rhino horns confiscated in Otjiwarongo as well as the other two and the firearm confiscated in Windhoek are connected to the poaching of the two rhinos on the farm in Gobabis.

Police investigations in the matter continue while the suspects remain in custody.