Skukuza – Poacher Mbongeni Ngobeni, convicted on six charges related to rhino poaching, has been slapped with multiple sentences that add up to 17 years in prison by the Skukuza Regional Court, in Mpumalanga.
The crimes were committed on 21 June 2016 in the Pretoriuskop Section of the Kruger National Park (KNP).
The court sentenced Ngobeni to the following:
- Ten years imprisonment for hunting rhinoceros in a national park,
- Five years imprisonment for possession of an unlicenced firearm,
- Two years imprisonment for trespassing in a national park,
- Four years imprisonment for possession of a firearm with the intent to commit a crime,
- Four years imprisonment for conspiracy to commit a crime,
- Two years imprisonment for possession of unlicensed ammunition, and
- One year imprisonment for possession of a dangerous weapon.
The court ordered that the sentence on count 5 should run concurrently with count 1.
Counts 4, 6, and 7 were also to run concurrently, resulting in an effective 17-year jail sentence.
In addition, the accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
During the trial, the court heard that the Ngobeni was arrested by field rangers, who had heard gunshots in the KNP.
The rangers discovered a spoor next to a freshly killed rhino carcass.
A follow-up operation was carried out with the assistance of the K9 Unit, and they caught up with Ngobeni and arrested him.
The accused was found in possession of a high-calibre hunting rifle.
However, two of Ngobeni’s accomplices evaded arrest.
Ngobeni was granted bail on 9 March 2019, but he failed to appear for his trial.
The court authorised a warrant for his arrest and Ngobeni was rearrested on 22 December 2023.
This week on Thursday, (14 March 2024), Ngobeni was convicted and sentenced.
Commenting on Ngobeni’s sentence, the South African National Parks said it “welcomed another heavy sentence handed down by the Skukuza Regional Court, to a rhino poacher”.
Meanwhile the trial of former KNP Regional Ranger, Rodney Landela and his co-accused, former State Veterinary employee, Kenneth Muchocho will proceed on Monday, (18 March 2024).
Landela and Motshotso were arrested on 27 July 2016 for the possession of two rhino horns, a rifle, and ammunition.
