Limpopo wildlife security guard sentenced for murder, poaching
The Limpopo High Court in Polokwane has sentenced a wildlife security guard to 24 years behind bars following his conviction on various charges, including murder and poaching.
Bethuel Mdubane (36) was a member of Waterberg rangers services, meant to prevent poaching at Lapalala Wilderness Nature Reserve.
Mdubane shot and killed two rhinos in March 2020, removing their horns, before killing his accomplice Primar Salazar Maluleque.
He attempted to pin the poaching on his dead accomplice but was eventually arrested in November 2022.
“During his arrest police discovered a .303 riffle, a bag containing a silencer, an axe, a knife, and live ammunition in his homestead,” said NPA spokesperson Mashudu Malabi-Dzhangi.
“Mdubane has been convicted for murder, unlawful possession of a firearm, hunting and shooting two rhinos, unlawful possession of a stolen car, two counts of possession of ammunition, and three counts of unlawful possession of prohibited firearms.
“The second accused, Ebony Mokoena was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment or a fine of R3000 for malicious damage to property, while accused number three turned into a state witness.”
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