Poachers given 8 years

THE Malamulele Regional Court in Limpopo has sentenced two men, 31-year-old Enock Sibanda and 28-year-old Eckson Shirinda, to eight years’ imprisonment for poaching and related offences.

National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Mashudu MalabiDzhangi said the Mozambican duo had pleaded not guilty to the raft of charges.

“Although Sibanda and Shirinda pleaded not guilty, they were convicted of trespassing in the Skukuza National Park, contravention of the Immigration Act, possession of a prohibited obliterated (sic) firearm, possession of ammunition, illegal hunting and killing of an elephant,” said MalabiDzhangi.

“Sibanda was also found guilty of possession of an illegal firearm.”

Rangers arrested the two on November 14, 2018, inside the Kruger National Park.

“State prosecutor, Norman Makhubele, told the court about the impact of animal poaching on the environment. He said poaching affected the environment by depleting certain species of animals which can cause animals that are endangered to become extinct, arguing for a suitable sentence,” said Malabi-Dzhangi.

“The accused persons were jointly convicted for these charges through common purpose.”