Skukuza court hands hefty sentences to three poachers
The three poachers were convicted in May and were sentenced in the Skukuza Regional Court earlier today, July 25.
Three poachers were found guilty of killing three rhinos for their horns and were sentenced by the Skukuza Regional Court on July 25.
Dominic Mnisi (36) was sentenced to 50 years’ imprisonment, while Lwazi Malambe (31) and Ayanda Ngomane (31) will each serve 33 years.
On January 31, 2017, field rangers in the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Stolsnek Section heard gunshots close to where they were deployed. During the follow-up, they noticed two suspects, later identified as Mnisi and Malambe, running away. The rangers gave chase and managed to apprehend them.
The suspects were found in possession of a .458 Winchester Magnum rifle without a serial number, seven cartridges, as well as a four fresh rhinoceros horns. These horns were later linked to the two freshly killed white rhinos found approximately 600m from where Mnisi and Malambe were arrested. Both accused were granted bail during their formal application.
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On October 25, 2019, field rangers again reacted to gunshots, this time in the Malalane Section of the KNP. The rangers recovered the carcase of another freshly killed white rhino with its horns removed. Some fresh tracks were followed from there with the help of a tracker dog. Mnisi was re-arrested along with his accomplice, Ngomane. During the arrest, a .30-06 rifle, six cartridges, one knife and two rhino horns were recovered.
Both cases were transferred to the Skukuza Regional Court and for the purposes of the trial were combined. It started on July 23 last year.
The three accused were convicted on May 23 of the following charges:
Mnisi and Ngomane:
* Trespassing in a national park
* Hunting of rhinoceros in a national park
* Possession of an unlicensed firearm
* Conspiracy to commit a crime
* Possession of a firearm with the intention to commit a crime
* Possession of unlicensed ammunition
* Animal cruelty.
Mnisi and Malambe:
* Possession of an unlicensed firearm
* Hunting of adult and sub adult rhinoceros
* Possession of a prohibited firearm (no serial number)
* Conspiracy to commit a crime
* Possession of unlicensed ammunition
* Possession of a dangerous weapon.
The KNP’s spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla, said the park is very happy with the court’s decision in giving heavy sentences to the convicted. “We are very satisfied with the evidence that were presented in court, and we believe that it will send a strong message to other poachers who consider entering the Park to kill the animals,” he said.
