Simon Valoi convicted and sentenced to 27 years in prison

In a major victory against the rhino horn trade, Simon Valoi, also known as “Navara”, and Paulo Zucula, two notorious figures in the illegal rhino horn trade, have been convicted and sentenced to 27 and 24 years in prison respectively in Mozambique. This decisive action, following their arrest in July 2022 by the Serviço Nacional de Investigação Criminal (SERNIC) with the support of the Wildlife Justice Commission, is expected to seriously disrupt wildlife trafficking networks in southern Africa.

On August 16, 2024, Valoi was convicted of multiple charges: 16 years for illegal wildlife trafficking, 8 years for criminal association, and 16 years for money laundering. Valoi was sentenced to 27 years in prison, along with fines equal to 16 years, a total of approximately USD 170,000 in compensation to be paid to the state, and the confiscation of assets worth approximately USD 140,625. Zucula was sentenced to 24 years, with fines equal to 16 years, a total of approximately USD 62,500 in compensation to be paid to the state, and assets worth approximately USD 265,625 confiscated.

On July 27, 2022, Valoi and Zucula were captured by SERNIC agents in Maputo following a coordinated operation with the Wildlife Justice Commission. During their arrest, authorities seized four rhino horns weighing a total of 2.9 kg.

Valoi is one of the most prolific rhino horn poachers known for his primary targets in South Africa’s Kruger National Park. His conviction, along with that of his right-hand man Zucula, is a major blow to the illegal wildlife trade in southern Africa.

“This belief marks an important achievement in the global fight against wildlife crime. The high sentences given to Simon Valoi and Paulo Zucula send a strong and clear signal to those involved in the illegal rhinoceros horn trade: their actions will have serious consequences. This outcome would not have been possible without the tireless efforts of SERNIC, from the thorough investigation to the decisive arrest and successful prosecution. We warmly congratulate SERNIC on this excellent result. Together we are making progress in dismantling criminal networks that the survival by rhinoceroses in Mozambique and South Africa” said Olivia Swaak-Goldman, executive director of the Wildlife Justice Commission.

The rhino horn trade remains a serious problem that must be addressed as a form of transnational organised crime, as highlighted in the Wildlife Justice Commission report. Global Threat Assessment of Rhino Horn Trade 2022.

While all of Africa’s major rhino ranges have been affected by rhino poaching to varying degrees, South Africa and its largest game reserve, Kruger National Park, have borne the brunt of the poaching crisis. However, poaching data since 2022 shows that the primary threat of poaching has shifted from Kruger National Park to other parks and provinces in South Africa, as well as other countries in southern Africa. Many factors contribute to this shift, including the disruptive impact of targeted law enforcement efforts and the harsh penalties imposed on high-level criminals like Valoi, which act as a deterrent to other poachers and traders.

The Wildlife Justice Commission remains steadfast in its support for partners worldwide in their fight against the ongoing threat of criminal networks trading in rhino horn for profit.