Durban - A former lawyer and fugitive from justice in a rhino poaching case has been tracked down and appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court on Thursday.
Suraj Rampersad had been on the run since last year after being granted bail and failing to appear in court.
Police spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Thulani Zwane, said Rampersad, 43, was traced to Newlands East by the Provincial Tracking Team. They re-arrested him while he was withdrawing cash from an ATM.
A warrant for his arrest had been issued after he failed to turn up in court last year to face four counts of illegal rhino hunting, fraud and possession of rhino horns valued at R100 000.
The Pietermaritzburg High Court heard last year that Rampersad had helped sell two rhino horns to men linked to the Chinese mafia.
Rampersad, who was struck off the roll in 2008, was arrested after a sting operation and had appeared in the Pinetown Magistrate’s Court in July last year, charged with contravening the National Environmental Bio-diversity Act of 2004. He and a co-accused were granted bail.
In terms of the bio-diversity act, no person may carry out a restricted activity involving a protected species without a permit. Selling or trading in a listed threatened or protected species, such as white rhino horn, is a restricted activity.
Acting provincial commissioner, Major-General Bhekinkosi Langa, praised the investigating team for its effort in making sure the accused was brought back to court to face his charges.
Rampersad was expected back in court on August 2.
Daily News