WRSA STATEMENT ON THE ACQUITTAL OF MR. DEREK LEWITTON

On 22 December 2023, more than 50 armed police officers conducted a 19 hour raid on Black Rock Rhino Reserve in Limpopo, owned by South African citizen and WRSA member, Mr. Derek Lewitton. In the aftermath of his arrest, the reserve, previously recognised for its innovative anti-poaching measures, faced multiple poaching incursions, resulting in significant losses to its rhino population.

Despite clear evidence of his South African citizenship, the State unjustly opposed bail, alleging Mr. Lewitton was a foreign national illegally residing in the country. This claim, later shown to be false, prolonged his imprisonment by three weeks before being disproven in court in January 2024.

During the period in which Mr. Lewitton’s bail was opposed, 15 rhinos were poached from Black Rock Rhino Reserve. As the prolonged legal battles continued, a further 24 rhinos were lost to poaching. Today, an estimated 60 rhinos remain unaccounted for, with an active investigation underway into their disappearance.

Following the raid, senior police official Major General Jan Scheepers, alleged publicly that 26 unreported rhino carcasses, unregistered rhino horns, and unlicensed firearms had been discovered on the reserve. These allegations were widely circulated by the media, but no physical evidence was ever presented to support them. Court proceedings later revealed that the so called “unlicensed firearms” were in fact weapons legally registered under the security company protecting the reserve and rhino, along with several paintball guns kept in a storeroom.

The spread of misinformation caused extreme reputational harm to Mr. Lewitton and his family, while exposing them to threats of violence and public vilification. More importantly, the prolonged legal battle and associated uncertainty left the reserve’s conservation work compromised, during which time poaching attacks escalated.

On 13 August 2025, the Namakgale Magistrates’ Court in Phalaborwa formally withdrew all 35 charges against Mr. Lewitton. Through their withdrawal, the prosecution confirmed that the allegations made by General Scheepers and amplified in the media were entirely unfounded, acknowledging that:

● No unreported rhino carcasses were found.

● All rhino horns were lawfully documented and fully compliant with regulations, either ethically harvested or received through police handled poaching incidents.

● No unlicensed firearms were present.

● No evidence linked the Lewitton family to any form of criminal activity. Wildlife Ranching

South Africa welcomes the full vindication of Mr. Lewitton and his family and will continue to support their resilience in the face of extraordinary personal and professional hardship.

South Africa’s private wildlife ranchers are on the frontlines of protecting endangered species, yet this case exposes a troubling trend - conservation leaders being subjected to unfounded criminal allegations. These unfounded attacks not only endanger the individuals dedicating their lives to saving wildlife but also erode hard-won conservation gains. Over the past decade, South Africa’s state-managed reserves have lost nearly 80% of their rhino, with Kruger National Park suffering the most devastating declines. In stark contrast, private wildlife ranchers have painstakingly grown and protected their rhino populations, carrying the survival of the species on their shoulders.

Yet, instead of recognising and supporting this contribution, the State has turned to prosecuting the very people ensuring that rhinos refrain from the brink of extinction. It is a grave injustice that the very people safeguarding our nation’s most threatened species are being cast as villains, not because of evidence, but because of the failures of national and international wildlife management systems.

WRSA reaffirms its commitment to support our members in the wake of unjust challenges. Through access to experienced legal expertise and guidance, policy advocacy, and a strong collective voice, WRSA ensures that our members are not left to face these battles in isolation.

For any media related enquiries, please contact media@wrsa.co.za