Interpreter delay in rhino hearing

THE bail application of four men accused of conspiring to poach a rhino in the Inkwenkwezi game reserve near East London could not go ahead yesterday because a Swati interpreter was not in court.

Christopher Fakude, Ernest Mdluli, Mlungisi Lekhuleni and Ntobeko Kumkani appeared in the East London Magistrate’s Court before magistrate Kevin von Bratt.

While Kumkani speaks isiXhosa, Fakude, Mdluli and Lekhuleni speak Swati. Kumkani is from King William’s Town and the other three accused are from Mpumalanga.

Von Bratt told the men a Swati interpreter was supposed to have been in court yesterday but the court was struggling to get hold of him. The matter was postponed to today. Simon Fakude has turned state witness and will testify against the accused.

The men, who were found with a rifle and other tools allegedly used for poaching, are aged between 26 and 46.

They were intercepted on April 30 after a tip-off.

They have been charged with illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition and conspiracy to commit a crime.

During their arrest a hunting rifle with 15 rounds of ammunition, a homemade silencer, a hacksaw, axe and a panga were recovered.