Mozambican national sentenced to 20 years for poaching in Kruger National Park
Nelson Sambo was accused alongside his accomplice, Gabriel Chauke. Chauke allegedly fled the country before being sentenced.
A Mozambican rhino poacher was sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment by the Skukuza Regional Court on April 24. A provincial police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli, said it was revealed in court that on December 2, 2020, the convicted, Nelson Sambo (41) and Gabriel Chauke (49), entered the Kruger National Park (KNP) through the Stolznek Section.
“Field rangers deployed in the park heard two gunshots in the section of Stolznek. The incident was immediately reported and assistance was sought from Skukuza Airport. A chopper and dog handlers were dispatched to assist,” Mdhluli said.
He said the two men were tracked and found in possession of two sets of rhino horns, a rifle with 20 rounds of ammunition and three knives.
“The suspects initially appeared in the Bushbuckridge District Court, where they were both granted bail. After a few court appearances, both absconded,” he said.
According to Mdhluli, warrants of arrest were issued for both suspects. Sambo was later rearrested while Chauke fled, allegedly to Mozambique. He has not yet been located.
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Sambo was taken to court and was convicted of seven charges:
• Count 1: For trespassing in the KNP, the accused was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.
• Count 2: For contravening the Immigration Act, the accused was sentenced to 10 years.
• Count 3: For illegal hunting of rhinoceros, the accused was sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment.
• Count 4: For the possession of an unlicensed firearm, the accused was sentenced to four years’ imprisonment.
• Count 5: For conspiracy to commit a crime, five years.
• Count 6: For the possession of unlicensed ammunition, the accused was sentenced to two years.
• Count 7: For the possession of a dangerous weapon, the accused was sentenced to one year’s imprisonment.
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The court ordered that the sentences in Count 1 will run concurrently with Count 2. The sentence in counts 4, 5, 6 and 7 will run concurrently with the sentence in Count 3. Sambo was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
