Kirstenhof couple convicted for unlawful keeping of 95 reptiles

A Kirstenhof couple has been convicted on seven counts of unlawful keeping, possession and transport of reptiles, and sentenced to a R40 000 fine or 18 months’ imprisonment each.

Zirkie Bernardus Jansen and Valerie Gayle Simpson-Jansen were sentenced by the Wynberg Magistrates’ Court on Thursday 30 July under the Nature Conservation Ordinance 19 of 1974.

March 2022 offences

The convictions stem from offences committed in March 2022 when the couple were found to have kept and transported 95 reptile specimens, including crested geckos, New Caledonian geckos, gargoyle geckos and ball pythons, without the required permits and authorisations.

The court also found the Jansens guilty of failing to comply with permit conditions, failing to account for the possession of certain animals, and submitting false information in a wild animal permit application.

‘Deliberate non-compliance will have consequences’

Conservation authority CapeNature, which brought the matter to court, said the unlawful captivity, transport and trade of wildlife constituted serious environmental crime.

Dr Ashley Naidoo, CEO of CapeNature, said the unlawful trade and keeping of wildlife undermined biodiversity conservation, threatened the integrity of regulatory systems and placed law-abiding permit holders at a disadvantage.

“We welcome the court’s decision and trust that it sends a clear message that deliberate non-compliance with conservation legislation will have consequences,” he said.

Permit system ‘supports conservation’

The Western Cape’s wildlife permitting system is designed to ensure that the acquisition, possession, captivity, breeding, transport and trade in wildlife are conducted responsibly and lawfully, in a manner that supports biodiversity conservation while preventing illegal wildlife trade.

The Western Cape is internationally recognised for its exceptional biodiversity, and effective enforcement of conservation legislation is essential to protecting the province’s unique environment, CapeNature said.

The authority reminded members of the public that acquiring, keeping in captivity, transporting, capturing, releasing or trading in wildlife is regulated by law and generally requires permits issued by CapeNature. Permit holders must comply fully with all permit conditions and provide truthful information when applying.

Reporting wildlife crime

CapeNature said it tackled wildlife crime through proactive compliance monitoring, investigations and collaboration with the police’s stock theft and endangered species unit and the National Prosecuting Authority.

Report wildlife crime at the nearest police station, CapeNature on 087 087 9262, or the Crime Stop Tip-Off Line on 08600 10 111.

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