Rhino Poaching: Arrests, Prosecutions & Sentencing

[Lisbeth]

Poacher sentenced to 22 years in prison, another killed in a shootout

May 3, 2019

The accused faced more charges including being in possession of stolen property, a firearm and ammunition without a license.

NELSPRUIT – A 33-year -old man was sentenced to 22 years in prison for poaching at the Skukuza Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday.

Musa Khoza from Manyeveni Trust outside White River was arrested in the Kruger National Park in 2016.

He faced other charges including trespassing, carrying out of a restricted activity involving threatened or poaching protected species without a permit, possession of a firearm and ammunition, a dangerous weapon and stolen property.

[Alf]

[Lisbeth]

Hoedspruit: Pretoria pastor arrested for alleged poaching conspiracy

04.06.2019 | Billy Sibuyi

A well-known Pretoria pastor was intercepted and arrested by an Intelligence driven Joint operation comprised of the Tactical Response Team (TRT) and the Hoedspruit Farm Watch on Monday evening, June 3.



According to information supplied by the police, the joint operation was operating under information received that an illegal poaching criminal syndicate were traveling along the R40 road in a Land-Cruiser.


Photo: SAPS

The police said that they ordered the vehicle to stop but the suspects fled and a chase ensued which ultimately led to a shootout being initiated by the suspects.

The police have arrested the pastor and his two accomplices and during the arrest a hunting rifle, silencer, four live ammunition, knife, axe and one vehicle were recovered.

The suspects will appear before the Hoedspruit Magistrate Court soon on attempted murder and Conspiracy to commit illegal poaching.

[Flutterby]

[Alf]

Please lock them up for a long time

[Lisbeth]

Limpopo court sentences rhino poacher to five years in jail


13 June 2019 - 20:46
BY NICO GOUS


File photo. Members of a forensics team perform an autopsy on a rhino killed for its horn in the Kruger National Park.
Image: Alaister Russell

The Lenyenye regional court in Limpopo sentenced a rhino poacher, Themba Ndlovu, 40, to five years' imprisonment on Thursday.

Police spokesperson Sergeant Marobo Seabela said in a statement on Thursday the police had been tipped off about three suspects plotting to poach rhinos on a farm near Hoedspruit on November 1 2017.

The police arrested two suspects while they were jumping over a fence to gain entry to the farm while the third suspect escaped.

“The arrested suspects were found in possession of .375 rifle with a silencer, live ammunition, an axe and a knife,” Seabela said.

One suspect sustained injuries during the arrest and later died in hospital.

[Richprins]

[Alf]

Only 5 years

[Richprins]

Already 2 years in jail, though?

[Lisbeth]

The police arrested them before they got around to poaching, luckily, but it also means less serious sentence.