SKUKUZA – Three Mozambicans were found guilty of trespassing into the Kruger National Park (KNP) in the Skukuza Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday. The magistrate Ms Winnie Baloyi also found them guilty of the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition, which they wanted to use for poaching rhino.
On March 14 this year, field rangers reported hearing gun shots in the Lower Sabie area of the KNP. Tracks led them to Antonio Masiya, Mirari Fabio Sithole and Johan Makhubela. They requested the assistance of KNP regional ranger Mr Don English, who arranged air assistance.
The three suspects were spotted from the air and arrested. They had a hunting rifle, 12 rounds of ammunition and four cellphones in their possession. They also had two backpacks with them. Poachers often store rhino horn in backpacks.
Baloyi imposed hefty sentences on the three. Trespassing led to a one-year sentence each. They were sentenced to four years each for the illegal possession of a firearm. Another four years were added for the illegal possession of ammunition, which will be served concurrently with the firearm-possession sentence. The intention to poach led to another five-year sentence each.
