Three rhino poachers were sentenced to 50, 21 and 33 years respectively in the Skukuza Regional Court on July 25 after being found guilty on several charges relating to rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park during 2017 and 2019.
Their trial started on July 23, 2023. They were convicted on May 23 of this year on rhino poaching-related charges such as trespassing in a national park, hunting of rhinoceros in a national park, possession of an unlicensed firearm and conspiracy to commit a crime.
State prosecutor Lot Mgiba said Dominic Mnisi was sentenced to 50 years effectively, with several sentences running concurrently on 15 charges.
He added that Ayanda Ngomane was sentenced to 21 years effectively, also with sentences on seven charges running effectively.
Lwazi Malambe’s seven charges led to a sentence of 33 years effectively, with several sentences running concurrently.
Magistrate Jan Ngobeni was presiding with Advocate Moshe Natela representing the three poachers.
Mnisi was described to Rekord by Mgiba: “He is very dangerous and the right-hand man of big names in rhino syndicates.”
He was sentenced for his involvement in two rhino poaching incidents, one involving Malambe on January 31, 2017, and one on October 25, 2019, involving Ngomane.
In the 2017 incident, field rangers of the Stohlsnek section of the park reacted to gunshots that were heard close to a deployment.
During the follow-up operation, the field rangers saw two suspects running away. Mnisi and Malambe were apprehended.
A .458 Win Mag rifle without a serial number as well as four fresh rhinoceros horns were recovered during the arrest. These horns were later linked to two freshly killed white rhinoceros that were found approximately 600m from where the suspects were arrested.
Both accused were granted bail during a formal bail application.
In the 2019 incident, field rangers reacted to gunshots in the Malelane section of the park.
During the follow-up, the rangers recovered the remains of a freshly killed white rhinoceros with the horns removed.
Fresh tracks were followed from the remains with the assistance of a tracker dog and rangers managed to arrest Mnisi and Ngomane.
During this arrest, a rifle, cartridges, a knife and two rhinoceros horns were recovered.
SANParks spokesperson Ike Phaahla said after the sentencing: “We are very happy with the decision of the court to give them active sentences in jail.
“I think it was appropriate that the magistrate took into consideration their personal circumstances, but also considered the public good and the seriousness of the crime. We are very satisfied with the evidence that was given to the court for it to consider these heavy sentences,” said Phaahla.
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to bennittb@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
