LIMPOPO – Strategies to fight rhino poaching in the province yielded positive results after four men were sentenced to five year’s imprisonment or R5 000 fine for conspiracy to commit rhino poaching and a further three years for possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition, provincial police spokesperson, Lt Col Moatshe Ngoepe said.
“The three year sentence was suspended for five years,” he said.
The four men, Chemba Cassin (32), Lucky Manyike (35), Themba Manzini (27) and Difference Ngujane (29), were arrested at Eastgate in the Timbavati Game reserve outside Hoedspruit at around 23:55 on 12 February 2015.
The police followed up on information received about four men in a white Volvo on their way to commit rhino poaching.
The swift reaction of the members led to the arrest of the suspects. A rifle, 10 live rounds of ammunition, axes, knives and the vehicle were confiscated during the arrest added Ngoepe.
The Saps Management welcomed this sentence. “It will send a very strong message to all the rhino poachers and those considering the criminal act that the long arm of the law will catch them unless they refrain from criminal activities.”
