Three poachers found guilty by Skukuza Regional Court

The Skukuza Regional Court recently found three poachers, Dominic Mnisi, Lwazi Malambe and Ayanda Ngomane, guilty on multiple counts related to poaching on May 23. The men were remanded in custody and their sentencing is expected to take place on June 21.

According to a press statement from SANParks, Mnisi and Malambe were arrested in Stolsnek in January 2017 after they were found in possession of a rifle, ammunition and four fresh rhino horns, which were later linked to two freshly killed white rhino found not far from where the accused were apprehended.
The two were granted bail during a formal bail application.

In October 2019, field rangers at Malalane Section followed up on gunshots heard in the area and recovered the remains of a rhino that had recently been killed and its horns removed.

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SANParks said with assistance of a tracker dog, the team apprehended Mnisi and Ayanda Ngomane. The two were found in possession of a rifle, ammunition, a knife and two rhino horns. Both cases were transferred to the Skukuza Regional Court for a combined trial, which began in July 2023 and ended with their conviction in last month.

For the 2017 case, Mnisi and Malambe have been convicted for the possession of an unlicensed firearm and a firearm with the intention to commit a crime, the hunting of rhinos, possession of a prohibited firearm (without a serial number), conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of unlicensed ammunition and possession of dangerous weapon.

For the 2019 case, Mnisi and Ngomane have been convicted for trespassing in a national park, hunting of rhino in a national park, possession of an unlicensed firearm, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of a firearm with the intention to commit a crime, possession of unlicensed ammunition and cruelty to animals.