TWO rhino poachers were each sentenced to 12 year’s imprisonment in the Naphuno regional court last Monday.
Hlengani Reckson Mathebula (49 ) and Eric Mathebula (37) both from Mozambique were found guilty and convicted on charges of illegal poaching of a rhino.
According to the provincial police spokesperson, Brig Hangwani Mulaudzi, in February last year, rangers from the Kruger National Park suprised a group of illegal hunters, whereafter a shooting between the two groups ensued.
Three rhino poachers were shot dead while the two men managed to escape.
Subsequent investigations revealed that the group had dehorned a rhino inside the park. Two hunting rifles, an AK47 assault rifle and a pistol were found in possession of the deceased. Police were immediately contacted and further investigations by the members of the Hawks led them to Lulekani village, where they were able to apprehend one of the two men with a fresh rhino horn.
Further investigations led the team to Phalaborwa where another horn was found in the possession of another man.
Investigations and DNA testing linked the horn to a rhino which was killed in the Kruger National Park.
Deputy provincial commissioner responsible for the directorate for priority crime investigations (Hawks), Maj Genl Dibero Molatjana welcomed the sentencing, saying the sentence would go a long way in sending a message that rhino poachers would face the wrath of the justice system.
“The sentence also encourages police to go deeper in investigations knowing that a tough jail term awaits the convicted criminals. We shall intensify our investigations and operations in our quest to save these endangered species. The sentencing is a significant achievement for law enforcement agencies,” said Molatjana.
