SKUKUZA POACHER SENTENCED TO 22 YEARS DIRECT IMPRISONMENT FOR POACHING-RELATED OFFENCES
The Skukuza Regional Court has convicted and sentenced a Mozambican national, Benedicto Tovela (32), to 22 years of direct imprisonment for poaching-related offenses. The accused pleaded guilty to the crime and was subsequently convicted of trespassing, possession of a dangerous weapon, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, and the killing of two rhinos.
On 13 July 2015, rangers of Skukuza National Park were patrolling, when heard gunshots in Stolzneck Section. They followed tracks using dogs. They found Tovela and his two co-accused in possession of a firearm, ammunition, an axe, and 4 fresh rhino horns. Rangers went back to the direction they heard gunshots and searched. They found two rhino carcasses and arrested the trio.
In court, Tovela pleaded guilty while his co-accused pleaded not guilty which resulted in the separation of trials. State Prosecutor Lot Mgiba, handed in positive DNA results linking the horns with the carcass as well as the ballistic report which proved that the firearm that was found in the accused possession is the same firearm that was used during the commission of the offense. The court sentenced the accused to 22 years, and the case against his co-accused was postponed to 18 April 2023, in the same court.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the conviction and sentence. We applaud the good work done by the prosecutor and the investigating officer in the matter.
