An alleged rhino poaching syndicate leader, who illegally used permits acquired by prostitutes and strippers to hunt rhino, was denied bail by the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.
In September, the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court ruled that Chumlong Lemtongthai was a flight risk, but he challenged magistrate Eric Mhlari’s decision this week, saying it was unconstitutional to deny him bail because he was not a South Africa, the Saturday Star reported.
High court judge Motsamai Makume upheld Mhlari’s decision on Friday, saying Lemtongthai had no family in South Africa or property.
He also cited an affidavit by one of the Thai women, who was going to be called as witness, in which she said she feared for her life after receiving calls from Thai nationals who threatened her, the newspaper reported.
The state alleges that Lemtongthai paid Thai strippers and prostitutes to use their permits to hunt rhino.
Once the rhino was shot, the women would then be called to come and pose for photos with the carcasses.
Lemthingthai’s company, Xaysavang Trading Export Import is being charged R65 000 per kilogram of rhino horns. The state alleged that 26 rhinos were shot, the Saturday Star reported.
He is expected to appear back in the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court on November 8 on charges of fraud and contravening the Customs and Exercise Act. — Sapa