Rhino poacher handed 22year sentence for poaching

The Skukuza Regional Court has sentenced a Mozambican national to 22 years behind bars after being found with a firearm and two fresh rhino horns at Kruger National Park. 

ONE SUSPECT IS STILL ON THE LOOSE

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Enoch Ngobeni was arrested in April after Rangers heard gunshots and ran into him and his partner, one was armed with a gun and the other was in possession of two fresh rhino horns. His co-accused who was in possession of the rifle managed to evade arrest.

The court found Ngobeni guilty on six counts and sentenced him as follows:

• Trespass in a National Park: two years
• Illegal Immigrant: One year
• Restricted Activity in a national park (hunting rhino): Ten years
• Restricted activity (hunting rhino): Ten years
• Possession of a dangerous weapon: One year
• Conspiracy to commit a crime: Four years

ALSO READ: Mpumalanga’s most wanted rhino poaching suspect rearrested

FIVE MORE POACHERS ARRESTED

Meanwhile earlier this week, five suspected rhino poachers were arrested along the R40 near Hoedspruit by a multi-task team of detectives from the SANParks Endangered Species Unit, Focused Conservation Solutions, Hoedspruit SAPS and Hoedspruit Farm Watch.

ALSO READ: Mnisi royal family ‘doesn’t believe the chief was killed for poaching’

Kruger Park Managing Executive Oscar Mthimkhulu has welcome the convictions and arrest of poachers.

“The message is loud and clear, criminality does not pay and the cooperation between different stakeholders and law enforcement agencies is biting hard to ensure the safety of our natural resources. Our tight security systems are making it difficult for criminals to operate with impunity and the courts are giving appropriate sentences, we are grateful to all who are with us in fighting this worthy cause” says Mthimkhulu.

ALSO READ: Police on the hunt for rhino poachers who KILLED two rhinos

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