The Skukuza Regional Court sentenced a 31-year-old Mozambican to 22 years in prison after he was found guilty of several poaching-related offences.
Enoch Ngobeni pleaded guilty to all the charges against him, namely breaching the Immigration Act, two charges of rhino poaching, conspiracy to commit a crime and possession of a dangerous weapon.
Ngobeni committed the crimes in April this year.
Monica Nyuswa, spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, says game wardens from the Tshokwane division in the Kruger National Park were on patrol on April 17 when they came across two rhino carcasses.
“They followed the tracks and caught Ngobeni and his unknown accomplice with a firearm and two fresh rhinoceros horns in their possession.
“Ngobeni was arrested, but his accomplice escaped and is still at large.”
Nyuswa says DNA evidence submitted to the court positively linked the horns in Ngobeni’s possession to the rhino carcasses.
“The NPA is satisfied with the speedy settlement of the case. We welcome the conviction and sentence.”
