Two Mozambican nationals who were caught by rangers after they poached a rhino near Malelane in the Kruger National Park in September last year, received hefty prison sentences.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, July Sihlangu (33) and Sergio Mathebula (32) were spotted while rangers were doing routine patrols.

A hunting rifle with no serial number, live ammunition, an axe and two rhino horns were found in their possession. When rangers scouted the area, the also found the carcass of a rhino that had recently been killed.

The state led evidence in the Skukuza Regional Court in Mpumalaga of a ballistic report confirming that the firearm that was found in their possession was a 375 rifle that was used to kill the rhino. The court found the pair guilty as charged.

Sihlangu and Mathebula were convicted of trespassing, the Contravention of Immigration Act, possession of a firearm with a serial number obliterated, possession of ammunition, killing of a rhino and possession of an axe.