Phalaborwa - Two men will spend the next 15 years in jail after they were found guilty of rhino poaching in Limpopo, police said on Wednesday.
“Two rhino poachers, one from Mozambique and one from South Africa, will spend the next fifteen years behind bars after they were sentenced in the Phalaborwa Magistrate's Court earlier this week,” said Colonel Ronel Otto.
Inaso Makhubela from Mozambique, and Jorudo Ngobeni, 42, were found guilty of hunting special protected game, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of ammunition, and trespassing.
They were sentenced with no option of a fine on Tuesday.
Makhubela and Ngobeni were caught on a farm in Timbavati, near the Kruger National Park, in October 2011.
“The two suspects shot and killed a rhino and then dehorned the animal. They were caught by rangers patrolling the farm as they were leaving the scene,” Otto said.
Limpopo provincial commissioner Lt-Gen Simon Mpembe hoped this would deter others from poaching.
“Police in the province are going all out to fight this scourge and together with other role players, such as the justice department, the efforts will only be intensified,” he said. - Sapa