MBOMBELA – For what we are about to receive, may the Lord make us truly thankful. And then they received 10 years in prison.
While court officials were preparing for January Ngobeni, Phineas Mathebula and Pastor Ezekiel Mathebula to appear in court last Monday, screams erupted from their holding cells. A loud wail was followed by sounds of a body hitting a wooden surface. Two policemen ran to investigate.
Much to everyone’s surprise, the officials and Mr PJ Lourens, attorney of the accused, emerged with relaxed grins on their faces. “What you just heard, was the accused praying,” Lourens explained. “It’s quite a mission. They are very verbal and physical in this act.” Ezekiel, is the leader of the prayer pack. According to WO Swys Vermaak, the investigating officer in this case, Ngobeni, Phineas and Ezekiel have been praying in this fashion since their arrest. It sometimes involves one of them rolling on the ground or flinging himself against the wall.
As soon as everyone in the courtroom was brought to a calm, magistrate Mr Willie Wilkens entered and asked where the accused were. “Your Worship, we will have to wait,” senior state advocate Ms Isabet Erwee indicated. “They are praying.” One cannot help but wonder whether they prayed before preying on our endangered rhino. Or if they prayed before poaching their horns on August 15 in the Houtbos area of the Kruger National Park (KNP). A hunting rifle, ammunition and two rhino horns were found in their possession and they were taken into custody. The three pled guilty on all charges. They were convicted of illegaly entering our country, illegaly entering the KNP, illegal possession of weapons and ammunition, hunting a protected species and poaching it’s horns.
On Thursday, Ngobeni, Phineas and Ezekiel received something indeed. It was probably not what they asked for – it’s called three meals a day in prison. For the next 10 years. The court was appreciative of their repentance.
