Three men sentenced for rhino poaching
SANParks CEO Fundisile Mketeni expressed gratitude to the justice system for stepping up and ensuring that all hands are on deck in the fight against wildlife crime.
The South African National Parks (SANParks) has welcomed the conviction and sentencing of three poachers at the Skukuza Regional Court last week.
The three were given varying sentences depending on the charges they were facing related to rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park (KNP).
Jeffrey Mathebula was arrested in 2015 and found guilty of trespassing in a national park. He was fined R10 000 or two years imprisonment, half of which is suspended for five years. The court also sentenced Adolph Ndlovu to 10 years in prison. He was found guilty for trespassing, being in possession of unlicensed firearm, unlicensed ammunition and being in possession of a firearm with the intent to commit a crime.
Read: Nine poachers arrested at Sanparks in three days
Abednego Mahlabane who was arrested in 2017 was also found guilty of trespassing, being an illegal immigrant, being in possession of an unlicensed firearm and pointing a firearm. He was also sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Also read: Rhino poacher sentenced to 30 years in prison
The CEO of SANParks, Fundisile Mketeni has congratulated the prosecution authority, the SAPS, Ranger’s Corps and the Environment Crime Investigative Unit for this success. He expressed gratitude to the justice system for stepping up and ensuring that all hands are on deck in the fight against wildlife crime.
“It is very encouraging to note that the perpetrators are not just arrested, but they are also sentenced as it should be. This is a step in the right direction and it goes to show how this poaching scourge can be overcome if we all work together,” concludes Mketeni.
