Simon Ernesto Valoi (born c. 1977),[1] nicknamed Navara, is a convicted Mozambician rhinoceros poacher.
Navara | |
|---|---|
| Born | Simon Ernesto Valoi 1977 (age 46–47) |
| Other names | Simon Tivani |
| Occupation | Rhinoceros poacher |
| Criminal charges | Poaching |
| Criminal penalty | 30 years |
| Criminal status | Incarcerated |
Biography
editNavara was born c. 1977. His first crimes were stealing cars, where he got his nickname of Navara, because he often stole the Nissan Navara.[2] He is also a fugitive wanted for two murder charges in South Africa.[3] He poached rhinos in Kruger National Park, and controlled about 15 different poaching gangs. He lived in a mansion in the Massingir district that he constructed using profits from his poaching.[4]
In 2015, Valoi was responsible for the kidnapping of Bartholomäus Grill of Der Spiegel, during which he threatened his life.[5] Valoi was not arrested by the Massingir police, instead, Grill was fined for trespassing on Valoi's property.[6]
On 26 July 2022, Valoi was arrested in a sting operation alongside an associate, Paulo Zukula in Maputo for possessing eight rhino horns, weighing 7.5 kilograms (17 lb), worth $470,000, from the Gaza Province.[7] Pretending to be corrupt, they gave him a wiretapped mobile phone for him to make calls with, which they used to arrest his other associates. He was re-arrested in 2023, and is currently serving a 30-year prison sentence.[8]
References
edit- ^ "Mozambique: Rhino poaching kingpin detained – AIM report". Club of Mozambique. 1 August 2022.
- ^ Jooste, Johan; Park, Tony (July 2022). Rhino War: A General's Bold Strategy in the Kruger National Park. Pan Macmillan South africa. ISBN 978-1-77010-791-5.
- ^ Miniter, Frank (29 June 2019). "The Underground Market-Driven Truth About Africa's Rhino War". Forbes.
- ^ Valoi, Estacio (March 2017). "Mozambique's poaching castles are crumbling".
- ^ Grill, Bartholomäus (3 December 2015). "In the Clutches of Rhino Poachers". Der Spiegel.
- ^ "Mozambique: 'Navara', leader of notorious poaching gang arrested – AIM". Club of Mozambique. 29 July 2022.
- ^ Valoi, Estacio (1 August 2022). "Mozambique busts notorious rhino poacher". Mongabay.
- ^ "Mozambique: Poaching ringleader detained for second time". Club of Mozambique. 17 April 2023.