ACCUSED GET A COMBINED 75 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
NORTHERN CAPE – Kathu High Court convicted and sentenced David Mecwi (27), Kethamile Kooper (26) and Tebogo Megare (27) to a combined seventy five (75) years imprisonment on several counts of criminal activities on Thursday, 14 March 2024 .
During April 2020, police within the farm borders of South Africa and Botswana were informed of four (4) unknown footprints entering Farm Barrange.
Several role players including chopper services and Anti Poaching Unit were also contacted to assist in tracking the accused as the owner of the farm experienced poachers in the past.
Chopper spotted the accused and alerted ground members of their whereabouts. When ground members approached the accused, a shoot out ensued and one of the accused was killed. The other three (3) accused were injured and taken to hospital.
Accused made a series of court appearances until their sentencing.
Accused were sentenced as follows : Count 1: Illegal Immigrant, sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.
Count 2: Possession of Firearm, sentenced to five (5) years imprisonment
Count 3: Possession of unlicensed firearm, five (5) years imprisonment.
Count 4: Possession of unlawful ammunition, five (5) years imprisonment.
Count 5: Entering a land with wild animals with possession of a weapon, two (2) years imprisonment.
Count 6: Entering a restricted captivity with a threatened species, two (2) years imprisonment.
Count 7: Attempted Murder, not guilty
Count 8: Murder, ten (10) years imprisonment
Count 3 & 4 will run concurrently. Each accused will serve a total of twenty five (25) years direct imprisonment.
