Rhino poaching trial postponed

Alex Eliseev

Police and the South African Revenue Service (Sars) have revealed more information in what is believed to be one of country’s most high-profile rhino poaching cases.

Thai national Chumlong Lemtongthai is accused of heading a syndicate that hired prostitutes to pose as trophy hunters, in an alleged bid to abuse the legal permit system.

On Friday, Lemtongthai and his accomplice Marnus Steyl made a brief court appearance.

The case was postponed to June.

Steyl owns the farms where the hunting took place.

The third accused Punpitak Chunchom appeared separately, because authorities failed to bring him to court on time.

It is understood that the police docket was handed over to the defence team on Friday.

The document contains information captured from Lemtongthai's computer, including business invoices and correspondence.

His cellphone was also seized and examined by investigators.

Defence lawyers said they will be ready to proceed with the matter in June.

(Edited by Zethu Zulu)