South African National Parks (SANParks) welcomed another heavy sentence handed down by the Skukuza Regional Court, to a rhino poacher.
Mbongeni Ngobeni was convicted on six charges related to rhino poaching, a crime committed on 21 June 2016 in the Pretoriuskop Section of the Kruger National Park (KNP).
It was stated in court that the accused was arrested by field rangers who followed up on gunshots that were heard, and the spoor that was discovered next to a freshly killed rhino carcass. During the follow-up with the assistance of the K9 Unit, contact was made, and the convicted poacher was arrested and found in possession of a high-calibre hunting rifle whilst two of his accomplices managed to evade arrest.
Ngobeni was granted bail on 9 March 2019 but failed to appear for his trial. The court authorised a warrant for his arrest and information was received on 22 December 2023 of his whereabouts which led to his arrest. On 14 March 2024, he was convicted and sentenced as follows:
The court ordered that the sentence on count 5 should run concurrently with count 1. Counts 4, 6, and 7 to also run concurrently, resulting in an effective 17-year jail sentence. The accused is automatically declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Meanwhile, the much-awaited trial of former KNP Regional Ranger, Rodney Landela and his co-accused, former State Veterinary employee, Kenneth Muchocho will get underway after the Magistrate indicated that there will be no postponement and that the trial will proceed as planned on 18 March 2024.