Three Rhino Poachers Nabbed And Remanded In Custody – Two More Convicted

Three Mozambican nationals who were arrested by the anti-poaching task team when they were plotting to kill rhinos inside the Kruger National Park on Sunday were remanded in custody when they appeared before the Giyani Magistrate’s Court today.

The anti-poaching Task Team was on a special operation inside the park when they spotted a burning fire in the bushes. Police tactically approached the fire place and pounced on the three suspected rhino poachers. A .458 rifle with 3 live ammunition, a .375 rifle with 2 live rounds, an AK 47 loaded with 20 live rounds, 2 axes and a knife were found in the possession of the suspects.

The suspects, Gaspara Chabalala (34), Antoni Chabalala (33) and Ronald Baloyi (28) will be in the dock again on Thursday, facing charges of illegal hunting, possession of unlicensed firearms and ammunition and trespassing.

Meanwhile two convicted rhino poachers; Enock Mutungi, a 38-year-old Mozambican national and Daniel Dumusani (48) were sentenced to six years by the Makhado Magistrate Court today after they were found guilty of rhino poaching which they committed in Masisi in March this year. The two were apprehended inside the Kruger National by the same task members. Upon their apprehension police found an unlicensed firearm and two rhino horns.

The Provincial Commissioner Lieutenant General Simon Mpembe has lauded the conviction and sentencing and further asserted that the judgment will serve as a deterrent to other would be rhino poachers.

By:
 South African Police Service