MBOMBELA – On Tuesday the case against the alleged poachers of a rhino calf, Sabi, was postponed for a month in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court. This is the second postponement in the case which is due to a lack of legal representation on the accused’s part.
The sub-adult rhino was brought to Care for Wild Africa after it survived its mother’s poaching in Sabi Sand in 2013. The .375 bullet which killed Sabi’s mother and injured the rhino calf, had also been removed from its carcass along with the bullet which killed him.
The case against Messrs Thokozane Jabulane Ngwenya, Kenneth Alex Mthombothi, Promise Mandla Lamula, Mthobisi Lenox Ngwenyama and Russel Mokoena was postponed during their court appearance on Friday. The five accused are due to appear in court on March 2.
Ngwenya, Mthombothi and Mokoena’s bail conditions were extended. Ngwenya, who has not yet paid the bail amount of R1 500, would remain in custody until this condition is met. Ngwenyama and Lamula would also remain in custody until continuation of their case as they had not been granted bail.
