Hefty sentences for 3 Mpumalanga rhino poachers
The Skukuza Regional Court sentenced three convicted rhino poachers to a combined 73 years behind bars on Tuesday.
Spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority in Mpumalanga Monica Nyuswa says the three men were arrested in 2019.
“Zwelithini Mathebula (37) and Lucky Mhlongo (39), were sentenced to 34 years imprisonment while their co-accused Teddy Dlamini (37), was sentenced to 39 years imprisonment”.
“The three were arrested in November 2019, along with their two co-accused who absconded after they were granted bail. The three were convicted of killing three rhinos, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of ammunition, and possession of a dangerous weapon”.
Nyuswa says the accused pleaded not guilty but were convicted through DNA evidence.
“They pleaded not guilty, and State Prosecutor Lot Mgiba led evidence of the arresting officer who testified from what he observed when arresting the accused, as well as the evidence of DNA which was found in Dlamini’s clothes. It positively linked him with the one carcass. Evidence of a bullet that was found in a carcass also confirmed that the bullet was fired from the rifle which was found in the accused’s possession.”
ALSO READ:
