Mpumzi Mshweshwe
A Mozambican national was sentenced to twenty years direct imprisonment for poaching-related offences by the Sukuza regional court. Nelson Sandile Sambo (43) was convicted on seven counts. The counts were trespassing, killing a rhino, possession of a firearm to commit a crime, possession of a firearm, ammunition and a dangerous weapon.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, said that on 2 December 2020, field rangers of Skukuza heard gunshots around the Stolzneck Section and started searching. “They found Sambo and Gabriel Chauke in possession of fresh rhino horns, a firearm and ammunition. Field rangers continued their search and discovered two rhino carcasses closer to where the accused were apprehended,” she said.
Sambo and Chauke were granted bail and later absconded. Sambo was re-arrested in 2023, and his co-accused Chauke is still at large. During the trial, Sambo pleaded guilty to all seven counts and was subsequently convicted. In aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Lot Mgiba presented overwhelming DNA evidence found on Chauke’s clothes. The evidence linked him to the rhino carcasses, and positive DNA evidence showed that the bullet was fired from a firearm found in the accused’s possession.
Sambo was sentenced to three years imprisonment for trespassing, ten years for killing a rhino, four years for possession of a firearm to commit a crime, five years for possession of a firearm, two years for possession of ammunition and one year for possession of a dangerous weapon. The effective sentence is 20 years of direct imprisonment, with some sentences running concurrently.
“The NPA welcomes the sentence and reaffirms its commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting South Africa’s wildlife for future generations,” Nyuswa said. – @NewsSA_Online
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