Four men were sentenced on 8 April in the Bloemfontein Magistrates\u2019 Court for consipiracy to poach rhinos near Smithfield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Andries Melusi Mkhabela (40), Solomon Mahlaule (48), Johannes Maluleke (60) and Daniel Bqaq (31) pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit a crime.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This follows investigation into a case by WO Stefan Grobbelaar after the police received information through its Eyes and Ears (E2) initiative in the Free State about a suspicious vehicle traveling on the N6 towards Bloemfontein. According to the information, there was an unlicensed firearm in the vehicle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At about 22:27 on 24 September 2023, members of the Bloemfontein Flying Squad stopped an Audi A4, and while they searched the vehicle they found a .458 calibre hunting rifle. The serial number had been filed off. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the vehicle, police also found nine rounds of ammunition for this rifle, one firearm silencer, several rolls of tinfoil, a cooler bag, and three hunting knives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The flying squad had been joined by the Stock Theft and Endangered Species unit from Bloemfontein, as the suspicion was that the suspects wanted to poach rhinos in the Bethulie-Smithfield area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The four pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit a crime in contravention of the National Environmental Management: Biodiversity Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maluleke also pleaded guilty to being in possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
All four men were sentenced to five years of direct imprisonment each, and Maluleke was sentenced to another five years for possession of a prohibited firearm and ammunition.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Four men were sentenced on 8 April in the Bloemfontein Magistrates\u2019 Court for consipiracy to poach rhinos near 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