Historic conviction and sentencing of rhino poachers made in Mozambique
South Africa and Mozambique signed a memorandum of understanding to counter illegal wildlife crime.
SANParks congratulated the justice department in Mozambique for successfully convicting and sentencing two poachers for killing two rhinos in the Limpopo National Park.
The two from the Mapai district in the Gaza province were recently sentenced to 16 and 17 years in prison respectively, for the crimes of slaughtering protected animals, the illegal possession of unlicensed weapons, and illegal possession of ammunition.
The sentencing also included compensation to the park for damages caused.
Read: Three men sentenced for rhino poaching
The historic conviction and sentence is the first in Mozambique since the scourge of rhino poaching emerged in 2008, leading to a memorandum of understanding between South Africa and Mozambique to counter illegal wildlife crime.
Also read: SANParks employee and three others arrested for rhino poaching
The investigation was in collaboration with the SANParks environmental crime investigative unit in Phalaborwa. SANParks’ CEO, Fundisile Mketeni, applauded the sentencing with the emphasis that if parties work together, they could curb the poaching scourge. “Some of the people we arrest in the Kruger National Park for poaching are from Mozambique.
It gives one so much hope to note that the authorities in that country are taking the fight against poaching seriously. We also note that this is the first conviction and sentencing of rhino poaching in Mozambique since 2008 and we congratulate and encourage them for ensuring that justice prevails in this fight,” said Mketeni.
