MBOMBELA – The suspects accused with breaking into the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Pretoriuskop safe days before the arrest of ranger Mr Rodney Landela (35), were identified on Thursday afternoon.
According to Hawks spokesman, Capt Lucy Dineo Sekgotodi, Messrs Thabo Solly Khoza (33), Reply Ishmael Themba (39), Vusi Mthombeni (31) and Lynborn Bobhoza Sithole (31), allegedly used a duplicate key to open the safe at the Pretoriuskop camp offices on two instances – in 2015 and on July 23 this year. An R1 rifle, two rhino horns and “a huge number of ammunition (sic)”, were stolen.
On July 27, Landela and veterinary sciences employee, Mr Kenneth Motshotsho (44), were arrested after a white rhino was poached.
Rangers in the Kingfisherspruit area came across a poached rhino. Both horns had been removed. The discovery was made shortly after they heard three gunshots at 13:00.
A SANParks chopper, which was in close proximity, flew to the scene. Landela and Motshotso were connected to the poaching after bloodied shoes were apparently found in the vehicle Motshotsho was driving. It was reported that a SANParks firearm had been used in the poaching.
Khoza, Themba, Mthombeni and Sithole were arrested on August 2. They appeared in the Bushbuckrige Magistrate’s Court on Thursday and were charged with housebreaking and the illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. On the same day, Landela and Motshotsho appeared in court for poaching.
According to Sekgotodi, Sithole was also wanted in connection with two murders in Calcutta in 2015. He will face two charges of murder.
Bail was denied to the four accused and they were remanded in custody. The case was postponed to August 10 at Skukuza Periodical Court for a possible bail application. Landela and Motshotsho will appear in court again on August 19.
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