ANOTHER SKUKUZA POACHER SENTENCED FOR POACHING RELATED OFFENCES
The Skukuza Regional Court sentenced a Mozambican National, Joshua Mongwe (29) to six years direct imprisonment for poaching related offences. The accused pleaded guilty to the offence and was subsequently convicted of tresspassing in the Park, Contravention of Immigration Act, possession of firearm , possession of firearm to commit crime and possession of ammunition. The court further declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act.
On 17 May 2022, rangers were patrolling around the Satara Section of Kruger National Park when they came across Santos Ngobeni and Joshua Mongwe in possession of a hunting rifle and ammunition.This led to their arrest.
In court Mongwe pleaded guilty to all charges and his co accused Ngobeni pleaded not guilty which led to the separation of trials .The case against Ngobeni was postponed to 11 January 2024 in the same court.
In aggravation of sentence State Prosecutor Lot Mgiba led testimonies of the Home Affairs official who testified that even though the convict is a resident of South Africa he remains undocumented.Ballistic report which confirmed that the firearm that was found in the accused’s possession was a hunting rifle was presented.
The National Prosecuting Authority remains committed in prosecuting poaching related cases to curb the scourge of rhino poaching.
