By Kopano Dibakwane
The Skukuza Regional Court has delivered a guilty verdict against three suspects, identified as Dominic Mnisi, Lwazi Malambe and Ayanda Ngomane, on charges of rhino poaching.
Mnisi and Malambe were reportedly arrested in January 2017 at Stolsnek and released on bail, after they were found in possession of a rifle, ammunition and four fresh rhino horns, which were later linked to two freshly killed white rhino found not far from where the accused were apprehended.
JP Louw(SANParks Head of Communication) said Mnisi was out on bail when he was arrested alongside Ngomane in 2019 on similar charges.
“ In October 2019, field rangers at Malelane Section followed up on the gunshots and recovered the remains of freshly killed rhino with horns removed. Upon follow-up with assistance of a tracker dog, the team apprehended Mnisi and Ngomane. The two were found in possession of a rifle, ammunition, knife and two rhino horns. Both cases were transferred to Skukuza Regional Court for a combined trial, which began in July 2023 and ended with their conviction on 23 May 2024,” said Louw.
He said that Mnisi and Ngomane were found guilty of for the 2019 case on; trespassing in a National Park, possession of unlicensed firearm, conspiracy to commit crime, possession of a firearm with the intention to commit a crime, possession of unlicensed ammunition and cruelty to animal.
Mnisi was once again found guilty alongside Malambe relating to the 2017 case for; possession of unlicensed firearm, possession of firearm with the intention to commit a crime, hunting of adult rhino, hunting of sun-adult rhino, possession of a prohibited firearm with no serial number, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of unlicensed ammunition and possession of dangerous weapon.
Louw said that the trio were remanded in custody until sentencing which is scheduled for 21 June 2024.
