Four Mpumalunga men get fifteen years each for rhino poaching

Four Mpumalanga men convicted of trespassing and illegal hunting in the Kruger National Park
were sentenced to 15 years imprisonment each.

They were found guilty of trespassing, carrying out a restricted activity in the game reserve
and possession of illegal firearms and ammunition.

State Prosecutoe Isbet Erwee said the accused showed no respect for the law and they also intimidated witnesses. “Unfortunately we have no proof whether it was the first time they hunted illegally in the park or not. They were well organised, armed with firearms for the crime with a place for entering. The rangers have to be thanked for their level of handling poaching… with helicopter on standby. These men are from the country and they are a disgrace as it is commonly foreigners from Mozambique who usually commit such crimes,” she said.

Magistrate André Geldenhuys said “You show no remorse. You even tried misleading the court. You
are arrogant, disrespectful and greedy. You were working for a syndicate and you obtained the
firearms illegally. You are sentenced to five years each for count one. Count two and three will go together and the sentence is 10 years each, meaning a total of 15 imprisonment in jail each,”.