By Bisola Adeyemo
Three Mozambican have been sentenced to 35 years imprisonment by the Mogwase Magistrates Court District in South Africa over poaching of three female elephants.
According to North West National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, News 24 stated that the three rhino horns worth R1.5 million in the Pilansberg Game Reserve in the North West.
“The men were arrested on 2 July 2018 while trying to leave the game reserve in a white Ford bakkie loaded with stolen rhino horns valued at R1.5 million.
“Subsequent to their arrest, they applied for bail and it was denied. They remained in police custody until the completion of the trial.”
Arlendo Mhlanga, Adam Hlongwane and Inancio Chauke were accused of killing three female rhinos, the possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of six rhino horns, chopping six rhino horns from three rhino carcasses, intentionally and unlawfully conveying six rhino horns, theft of three rhino horns and entering the heritage site without written permission.
“From the 10 charges they were facing, the court sentenced them to a cumulative 85 years’ imprisonment.
“However, it ordered that some sentences should run concurrently, the accused will spend an effective 35 years in prison for the crimes they committed.
“The Ford bakkie and other items that were in their possession are also forfeited to the State,” Mamothame said.
In aggravation of sentence, State advocate Douw Jacobs urged the court to consider the evidence submitted by conservation experts on the extinction of the rhino population.
He argued that rhino poaching impacted negatively on the tourism industry and the economy of the country because it resulted in job losses.