Rhino-mutilation case postponed
The accused led the rangers to the most-horrifying sight seen yet in the war on rhino poaching
NELSPRUIT – The alleged poacher involved in the horrific mutilation of a rhino which was found still alive with half its face cut off, appeared in court. Mr Jonas Makhubela (24), a Mozambican citizen, appeared in the Regional Court on Thursday on various charges relating to poaching.
Makhubela was apprehended by rangers in the Tsakane area in the Kruger National Park on March 31, 2013.
An accomplice, whom they suspected to have the horn, managed to evade capture.
The accused led the rangers to the most-horrifying sight seen yet in the war on rhino poaching.
When they found the rhino, which had most of its face hacked off, they initially thought it had died.
Rangers then heard a gargling sound and saw the animal sway its head and flick its ears and realised with shock it was still alive.
The rhino had to be euthanised.
Makhubela’s case was postponed until May 26 for a possible guilty plead. Lowvelder has video footage of mutilated rhino but this should not be watched by sensitive viewers. It is on the paper’s website at www.lowvelder.co.za
