Pietermaritzburg - Sacked Hawks spokesman, McIntosh Polela, will appear in the Pietermaritzburg Regional Court on September 26, when he will face 13 charges related to alleged incidents of poaching.
National Prosecuting Authority spokeswoman, Natasha Ramkisson, confirmed that Polela would appear in court. He has already been issued a summons.
It is alleged that on February 7, Polela and others were caught, by a Himeville farmer, with a common reedbuck – a protected species – and a grey duiker, without a permit, near the Swamp Nature Reserve.
At the time, Polela said he had not known the buck was a protected species – or that he needed a permit to hunt it.
Polela is facing charges of illegal hunting and pointing a firearm. He opened counter-charges, of assault and pointing a firearm, against the farmer. It is also alleged that on April 9, reaction officers from a private security company found Polela attempting to hunt in the Besters area.
Although no wild animals were found in his possession, it has been alleged that he was travelling along a public road with a spotlight and hunting rifles late at night.
Although Polela had apparently not shot any animals, he could face several charges under the Natal Nature Conservation Ordinance 15 of 1974.
Daily News