Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

[Lisbeth]

If the sentence was 7 years, why were 2 years suspended Just curiosity

[RogerFraser]

#sapsMP Members of the SAPS from Piet Retief made a major breakthrough after arresting a man (27) in possession of two rhino horns on Thursday, 09 March 2023 in Piet Retief. The two rhino horns were hidden inside the bonnet of the car. #EnviroCrimes NP

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[Lisbeth]

The text is not relevant to the pics.

[RogerFraser]

woops link on the story had wrong text link have edited with the tweet story

[Lisbeth]

That's one big horn Unfortunately the rhino is presumably dead

[Richprins]

[RogerFraser]

Woman rhino poacher jailed for 16 years

https://www.iol.co.za/news/crime-and-co ... 4bb57d42fe


Thembi Juliegirl Mangane, aged 37, has been sentenced to 16 years behind bars for several crimes relating to rhino poaching. Photo: SAPS

Pretoria - A woman involved in rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park was on Friday jailed for 16 years by the Skukuza Regional Court.

Thembi Juliegirl Mangane’s two accomplices pleaded guilty and were sentenced almost two years ago, according to Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.

While her accomplices pleaded guilty and were sentenced, Mohlala said Mangane, 37, opted to go on trial and was found guilty.

“The accused’s sentence emanates from a rhino poaching incident which took place on 18 April 2019. It is said on that day, rhino poachers entered the Kruger National Park through the Crocodile Bridge section where they killed a rhino and removed its horns,” Mohlala said.

“Possibly two suspects managed to flee without being caught. However, after members of the police were alerted about the incident, a lookout for the suspects immediately commenced.

“It did not take long for the members to identify their suspects, thanks to the stock theft unit through information provided by the intelligence structure of the police in the province.”

Mohlala said police officers discovered that Mangane was part of an orchestrated plan to collect and transport the poaching suspects as they came out of the Kruger National Park after the illegal mission.

“The woman (Mangane) was the driver and the car that was used by the poachers was identified and eventually stopped. A search was conducted whereby a rifle as well as the two rhino horns, a saw and other items were found inside the vehicle that she was driving,” he said.

“The three suspects were arrested in relation to this incident as well as charged accordingly. They then appeared in court where two, identified as Matsinye Joao Sithole and Vasco Tibane, deemed it necessary for themselves to plead guilty.”

Sithole and Tibane were sentenced on June 24, 2021, to an effective 22 years’ imprisonment.

Due to the fact that Mangane did not plead guilty, Mohlala said her matter was postponed but after the trial, she was sentenced as follows:

On count one, of restricted activity involving a threatened or protected species, a white rhinoceros, Mangane was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.

On count two, a charge of possession of a prohibited firearm, Mangane was sentenced to six years’ imprisonment.

On count three - possession of unlicenced ammunition - Mangane was sentenced to two years’ imprisonment.

[Richprins]

How brazen!

[Lisbeth]

Women can be just as bad as men

How stupid to go on trial, when you are caught red-handed

[Richprins]

HEAVY SENTENCES FOR THREE SKUKUZA POACHERS

The Skukuza Regional Court has convicted and sentenced three accused to various sentences, for poaching-related offences. Zwelithini Mathebula (37) and Lucky Mhlongo (39), were sentenced to 34 years imprisonment while their co-accused Teddy Dlamini (37), was sentenced to 39 years imprisonment. The three were arrested in November 2019, along with their two co-accused who absconded after they were granted bail.

The three were convicted of killing three rhinos, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of ammunition, and possession of a dangerous weapon. Dlamini was further convicted of pointing a firearm and trespassing in the National Park. On 23 November 2019, a ranger was patrolling in the Malelani section when he spotted a vehicle with five occupants. Upon stopping it, Dlamini pointed a firearm to the ranger and when searching it, a riffle and six rhino horns were found in the vehicle and arrested them. The ranger continued with the search and found three carcasses a few meters away from the scene.

They pleaded not guilty, and State Prosecutor Lot Mgiba, led evidence of the arresting officer who testified from what he observed when arresting the accused, as well as the evidence of DNA which was found in Dlamini’s clothes. It positively linked him with the one carcass. Evidence of a bullet that was found in a carcass also confirmed that the bullet was fired from the riffle which was found in the accused’s possession.

The National Prosecuting Authority is pleased with the sentence imposed on the accused and commends the prosecution and the investigating team for a job well done.
,
Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson
DPP Mpumalanga