Skukuza Regional Court sentences poacher to 19 years in prison
Lubisi went on trial and on Thursday, the case at the Skukuza Regional Court came to a conclusion when he was convicted and sentenced.
Simon Mahumbane Lubisi (38) was sentenced on Thursday, October 14 by the Skukuza Regional Court after sufficient evidence had been presented by the state against him.
On October 26, 2014, a white rhinoceros was killed in the Lower Sabi section.
Field rangers of Crocodile Bridge, Lower Sabi and Skukuza that reported for duty that day were on high alert after this incident, and as they were patrolling the area, they came across a group of poachers.
A gunfight ensued, resulting in one of the poachers being fatally wounded. Lubisi was among the three that were arrested.
These three were granted bail when they appeared in court but absconded afterwards.
After failing to attend court, warrants of arrest were issued against them. A manhunt was launched for these three men, and in 2019, Lubisi was rearrested. His co-accused are still at large.
On a count of trespassing in a national park, Lubisi was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment. On a count of hunting rhinoceros in a national park, he was sentenced to ten years. He received five years for a count of conspiracy to commit a crime. Lastly, he received one year’s imprisonment on the count of being in possession of a dangerous weapon. Therefore, Lubisi was effectively sentenced to prison for 19 years.
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