The Nelspruit Magistrates court yesterday sentenced Mr Mandla Chauke to 77 years imprisonment. Mr Mandla Chauke and two others entered the Kruger National Park through the Stolsnek area which is situated in the South of park. The Rangers who were doing the anti-poaching patrols in the area heard the gunshots and went to investigate. They discovered that Mr Chauke and his two accomplices had short three Rhinos of which one, an adult bull, was fatally wounded. The cow and the calf were badly wounded but still alive, and lying on the ground suffocating in the pool of their own blood.
They further noticed Mr Chauke with his two accomplices searching for something in the grass. It later transpired that they were searching for ammunition. Mr Chauke and his accomplice were arguing about not having brought enough ammunition. The Rangers instructed Mr Chauke and his two accomplices to stop. The shootout ensued, Mr Chauke and one accomplice were wounded. The accomplice later died in hospital while the other managed to escape and ran away. He is still at large. The horns of the bull were recovered from the accused.
Mr Chauke pleaded not guilty alleging that he was forced by the accomplice who died in hospital to accompany him. The court rejected his evidence and convicted him of murder of the deceased accomplice; illegal hunting of the three rhinos; theft of horns; possession of firearm; possession of ammunition and trespassing.
He was sentenced as follows: murder, 15 years; theft of horns, eight years; possession of firearms, 15 years; possession of ammunition, seven years and trespassing, two years. The sentence on theft will run concurrently with that of illegal hunting whilst the sentence of possession of a fire arm and possession of ammunition will run currently with the sentence of murder. The effective sentence to be served by Mr Chauke is 47 years.
We welcome the sentence as we believe that it reaffirms our commitment to the war that we have declared against Rhino poachers. We urge the members of the communities to assist the police by reporting all illegal activities aimed at destroying our natural resources. We hope that this sentence will serve as deterrence to potential offenders. We thank Adv Isabet Erwee for the job well done.
Enquiries:
Nathi Mncube, NPA Spokesperson
Cell: 084 814 8364
E-mail: media@npa.gov.za
