Three rhino poachers have received sentences of 50, 33, and 21 years for their involvement in rhino killings at Kruger National Park. Dominic Mnisi, Lwazi Malambe, and Ayanda Ngomane were found guilty of various offenses, including trespassing, illegal possession of firearms, conspiracy, and animal cruelty.
Mnisi was sentenced to 50 years, with several charges served concurrently. Malambe received a 33-year sentence, while Ngomane was given 21 years. Mnisi and Malambe were apprehended in January 2017 with a rifle, ammunition, and four fresh rhino horns, with a tracker dog aiding in locating Mnisi and Ngomane.
The horns were subsequently connected to two white rhinos that had been killed near the location where the pair was apprehended.
Although they were initially granted bail, Mnisi was re-arrested just over two years later for the killing of another rhino.
Detained twice
In a statement made at the Skukuza Regional Court in Mpumalanga on Thursday, Mnisi admitted that he had come to understand that crime is detrimental.
“I have learnt, your worship, that it is not good to be involved in crime. I have learnt to work and not involve myself in activities that are against the law”.
Rhino poachers sentenced for 2019 killings
Last year, the court sentenced three men to a total of 100 years for poaching. The men were apprehended in the Malelane area of Kruger National Park in November 2019.
The arrest followed a field ranger noticing a suspicious white Hyundai H1 with two occupants. The ranger decided to stop the vehicle for a spot check and reviewed the permit, which appeared valid and listed the names of the visible occupants.
However, while speaking to the driver, the ranger observed two other individuals lying flat on the floor behind the back seats. The ranger instructed the driver to turn off the engine and hand over the keys, then opened the back of the van, where a firearm was pointed at him.
Upon searching the men and the vehicle, the ranger discovered five rhino horns, a hunting rifle with a silencer, 14 live rounds, two knives, and five cellphones, according to spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala.
Their sentences
Zwelithini Mathebula (37) and Lucky Mhlongo (39) were each sentenced to 34 years in prison for offenses including killing endangered species, possessing an unlicensed firearm, possessing ammunition, conspiracy, and having dangerous weapons.
Teddy Dlamini (37) received a 39-year prison sentence on similar charges, in addition to being convicted for pointing a firearm.