10 years in prison for ex-Kruger ranger and vet tech in rhino poaching case
A state veterinary technician and senior ranger face jail time while the asset forfeiture unit applied to seize their property.
Former senior Kruger National Park game ranger Rodney Landela and Kennith Mochocho, who worked as a state veterinary animal health technician based in Skukuza, have been sentenced to 10 years in prison for rhino poaching, reports Lowvelder.
The two were arrested 10 years ago and found guilty by Skukuza Regional Court magistrate Mbongeni Ngobeni on October 9. They appeared in the same court for sentencing yesterday (October 16).
Rangers respond to gunshots
Landela and Mochocho were arrested on July 27, 2016, in the Kingfisher Spruit ranger section between Satara and Orpen.
Rangers responded when they heard shots fired, finding a white rhino that had been shot and killed, with its horns hacked off.
Also read: Black Mambas receive modified Cayenne in anti-poaching boost
During sentencing, Ngobeni said Landela, as a senior ranger with access to sensitive information about the fight against poachers, misused his position of trust.
Pair to appeal as state targets assets
Both men indicated that they would appeal against the judgment.
The head of the Mpumalanga Asset Forfeiture Unit, Kobus van der Walt, submitted an application to investigate the possibility of confiscating assets belonging to Landela and Mochocho.
Field ranger pair sentenced in 2022
The sentencing follows that of former Kruger field rangers Hendrick Experience Silinda and Musa Mlambo, who were sentenced to seven years imprisonment each in December 2022 for poaching-related activities.
At the time, Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said Silinda and Mlambo were on duty in February 2019 when regional rangers received information that the pair was going to assist poachers to enter the park.
They were later found in possession of poaching-related equipment but denied their involvement and claimed they were framed.
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