The Mhala Regional Court sentenced Vincent Nyathi to eight years of direct imprisonment after he was found guilty of stealing endangered species (Pangolin) in 2018.
Nyathi was arrested in Rietboklaagte near Acornhoek after the police received a tip-off that he had a Pangolin. They followed the information and discovered the animal in a drum in the accused’s house. During the trial, Nyathi pleaded not guilty and denied the allegations levelled against him. Advocate Ansie Venter led evidence of a Pangolin that was found in a drum in a back room of the accused’s house that was released after receiving treatment at a game reserve. He was found guilty as charged.
In aggravation of sentence, the state argued that Pangolins are facing extinction and therefore a lengthy jail term must be imposed. Pangolins are the most heavily trafficked animals in the world for their scales which are used in traditional medicine and their meat which is a high-end delicacy in China. The magistrate, Elmarie Theron took into consideration that the accused is a first-time offender and she sentenced him to eight years imprisonment.
