Poacher shot and killed, murder accused out on bail
The 32-year-old accused in the murder case appeared in the Lephalale Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, 28 April
LIMPOPO – The 32-year-old accused in the murder case has been released on R5 000 bail, says the police.
He appeared in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 28 April and his case was postponed to 3 July for further police investigation, confirmed Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo.
According to an earlier statement Mojapelo said that the deceased was part of a trio who were caught for poaching on a farm in Lephalale by members of Nature Conservation.
The men were taken into custody and while being escorted to the van, they managed to flee. A search ensued until the officers heard gun shots and rushed to scene where they found that one of the poachers had been shot and killed by the murder accused, an employee on the said farm.
The licensed firearm used during the incident was seized by the police. Investigations into the circumstances of the shooting still continue, Mojapelo concluded.
27 April
LIMPOPO – A 30-year-old man, suspected to be part of a trio of illegal hunters, was shot and killed on a farm outside Lephalale just after noon yesterday.
According to Police Spokesperson, Brig Motlafela Mojapelo, a 32-year-old man employed on the farm, was arrested for the murder.
“It is believed that the deceased and two other men were caught hunting illegally on the farm by members of Nature Conservation.The three were found in possession of two bags which contained pieces of wild animal dried meat, a gemsbok and some hunting tools,” the statement reads.
Mojapelo added that as the illegal hunters were escorted towards a van, they managed to flee and disappeared into the bushes.
“A search ensued until the officers heard some gunshots and rushed to the scene. On arrival, they found that one of the illegal hunters had been shot, allegedly by a farm worker,” he said.
The man was certified dead on the scene.
According to Mojapelo, the suspect used a licensed firearm which has since been seized by the police.
The man was arrested and will appear in the Lephalale Magistrate’s Court tomorrow, 28 April 2020 on a charge of murder.
