PROVINCIAL COMMISSIONER WELCOMES A SENTENCING OF A MAN CAUGHT HUNTING AT THE KRUGER NATIONAL PARK
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has commended the courts for sentencing a man who was caught armed and hunting at the Kruger National Park. Thomas Yingwana (35), a Mozambican National who was in the country illegally, was sentenced by the Skukuza Regional Court on Thursday 24 August 2023 for poaching-related offences.
The court heard how in November 2022, the accused entered the park before he was caught. It is said that during that month, field Rangers were patrolling at Lower Sabie in the Kruger National Park when they spotted human footprints. Upon tracing, they located the accused with a hunting firearm and ammunition as well as other items geared for hunting in his possession.
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Members of the police from Skukuza SAPS were notified about the incident and, upon arrival, the man was arrested and charged accordingly.
The accused was brought before the court and the state presented overwhelming evidence against him.
On Wednesday, 23 August 2023 the accused pleaded guilty to the charges levelled against him hence he was sentenced as follows:
On count 1 – Trespassing, the accused was sentenced to two (02) years imprisonment.
On count 2 – Contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa, the accused was sentenced to one (01) year imprisonment.
On count 3 – Possession of an unlicenced firearm, the accused was sentenced to six (06) years imprisonment.
On count 4 – Illegal possession of ammunition, the accused was sentenced to two (02) years imprisonment.
On count 5 – Possession of an unlicenced firearm to commit a crime, the accused was sentenced to four (04) years imprisonment.
On count 6 – Possession of a dangerous weapon, the accused was sentenced to one (01) year imprisonment.
The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
Counts 1 and 2 will run concurrently. Count 3, 4 and 5 will also run concurrently meanwhile Count 6 will run alone. The accused will effectively spend 9 years behind bars.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has further thanked the excellent work done by the rangers from SANPARKS, the investigation team, the Prosecution team, and the Judiciary which culminated in the well-deserved sentence. “I hope that the sentence will serve as a deterrence to others who might consider emulating the actions of the accused, ” said the General.
Police urge anyone with any information on Crime to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
