Limpopo: Police welcome the long term incarceration of rhino poachers Limpopo P…

Limpopo: Police welcome the long term incarceration of rhino poachers

Limpopo Province have successfully managed to fight Rhino poaching which has been alarmingly problematic during the recent period.

Consequently, Joseph Molapo and Sebastian Mbhombhi were sentenced by the Saselamani Magistrate Court outside Giyani to an effective fifteen (15) years and six (06) months imprisonment each as follows:

* 04 years for rhino poaching.
* Six (06) months for trespassing.
* Eight (08) years for possession of unlicensed firearm.
* Three (03) years for possession of unlicensed ammunition.

Both accused were also declared unfit to possess firearms.

The relentless efforts made by the joint operations composed of officials from the Kruger National Park, the Dedicated Team of Rangers, the Saps Provincial Stock Theft Unit and the Community Farm Policing Sectors have led to three rhino poaching perpetrators receiving these long jail terms.

The trio entered the Kruger National Park illegally with the intention to hunt rhinos for their horns. During the operation, a shoot-out ensued between the Rangers and poachers resulting in one of the suspects being fatally wounded. The remaining two were arrested inside the park.

The SAPS Limpopo Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Nneke Ledwaba has commended all relevant stakeholders for their enormous efforts that ensured the successful prosecution of these #RhinoPoachers.

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