MBOMBELA – One of senior state advocate Ms Isabet Erwee’s oldest rhino-poaching cases will finally be in court for judgement next month. Mr Daniel Calvyn Dlamini (31), Mr David Moses Mawilela (36) and Mr Sifiso Luphuko (32) have been facing 22 poaching-related charges since their arrest five and a half years ago.
The judgement date of July 7 was confirmed when they appeared in the Nelspruit Regional Court on Tuesday. Dlamini, Mawilela and Lophuko were arrested on November 1, 2009 in the Kruger National Park.
They did not believe that they should have been charged with poaching-related charges, as the three said they were allowed to roam a certain portion of the park that bordered Matsulu freely. They also said a park official gave them permission to hunt animals for food.
Mr Frik Rossouw, senior investigating officer for SANPark’s environmental and crime investigation unit previously testified that the accused illegally possessed two hunting rifles at the time of their arrest. The state also accused them of trespassing across the borders of the park and firing six illegal shots, which killed three rhino. It was alleged that the three then tried to remove their horns. Dlamini and Mawilela will remain in custody until their day of judgement, while Luphoku’s bail has been extended.
Also read: Rhino poaching incidents soar, despite arrests.
