MBOMBELA – A former SANDF soldier and his co-accused briefly appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday.
Mr Boet Leonard Mashego and Mr Michael Sithole were apprehended on September 19, 2010 after rangers in the Stolsnek area of the Kruger National Park came across a dehorned rhino carcass.
They found Mashego inside the fenced area of the park. Sithole was on the other side. According to a testimony from a game ranger who may not be identified, Mashego pointed his firearm in their direction and a shoot-out ensued.
Two rhino horns, two firearms and ammunition were apparently found in their possession. Mashego, who had been wounded during the shoot-out, was taken to hospital.
During a court appearance last year, defence attorney Mr Daniel Mabunda said, according to his clients, they were not poaching rhino. The defence version held that Mashego was on his side of the fence searching for his cattle, while Sithole was looking for herbs.
The accused face three counts of performing illegal activities in a national park, five of restricted activity involving a threatened species, five of theft, four of possession of an illegal firearm, and four of illegal possession of ammunition. They have also been connected with six other poaching cases.
Senior state advocate Ms Isabet Erwee confirmed that the case had to be postponed as the required state witnesses could not be present. The postponement date had not yet been confirmed.
Also read: “Mishap” causes absence of five alleged poachers
