Three foreign natives have been sentenced to 12 years by the South Africa’s Eastern Cape High Court Division in Makhanda on charges of Rhino Poaching conspiracy. Kenneth Chigaweni (36), Thomas Joao Machele (53), and Amos Ncube (44) were found guilty of conspiracy to poach rhino horns, possession of an illegal firearm, and unlawfully entering the country.
The court heard that on July 31, 2018, the trio drove from Gqeberha, formerly known as Port Elizabeth to Bedford in a borrowed vehicle, equipped with an unlicensed firearm and poaching tools, intending to target rhinos at the Ezulu Game Reserve. They were intercepted during a routine roadblock, where police discovered a concealed hunting rifle and various equipment typically used in poaching operations.
All three accused pleaded not guilty during the trial, but solid evidence presented by the prosecution, including the detailed testimony of law enforcement officers, led to their convictions. The court’s collective sentencing reflects the gravity of their offenses, emphasizing that poaching is illegal under the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.
Eastern Cape Director of Public Prosecutions, Barry Madolo, commended the swift action of law enforcement, stating, “This sentence underlines that wildlife crimes will not be tolerated. We remain committed to protecting endangered species in South Africa.”
