Staff Reporter
THE owner of Harnas Guest Farm and Wildlife Sanctuary, Marieta van der Merwe (72), who stands accused of three counts of contravening the Nature Conservation Ordinance, has stated that she will defend herself against all charges.
According to Van der Merwe, officials from the Protected Resource Unit of the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism came to Harnas on Sunday and said that they needed to take photos for an ongoing investigation that they have against Van der Merwe.
She further alleged that after the officials entered the property, they tried to arrest her on three counts of contravening the Nature Conservation Ordinance.
They came to an agreement and consented that Van der Merwe could report to the Otjinene Magistrate’s Court on Monday at 7:30 instead.
Van der Merwe reported to the court the next day and was granted bail of N$40 000.
Van der Merwe said that she approached the High Court of Namibia in February on an urgent basis to interdict the ministry from removing two lionesses from Harnas to Okapuka ranch.
She said this application was successful and therefore shows that she “has acted according to the law at all times”.
Despite the success of the application, Van der Merwe explained, the two lionesses that were the subject of the urgent High Court application are now also included in the current charges against her.
