Poacher sentenced to 25 years after being caught twice in Kruger Park Posted by Taylah Strauss on 22 March 2022 A poacher who was caught twice in Kruger National Park – the second time when he was out on bail – has been sentenced to 25 years in prison. In the first incident, Mike Nyathi and his accomplice, Janeiro Chunguane, entered Kruger via the Kingfisherspruit section, where they shot and killed a white rhino on 17 September 2017. Field rangers heard gunfire and went to investigate. The two men were found with a rifle without a serial number, an axe and a knife. Rangers also found the rhino carcass. The two were arrested and charged in the Skukuza Regional Court with ‘trespassing, possession of prohibited firearm, unlicenced firearm and ammunition, conspiracy to commit a crime, hunting of protected animals in a National Park, and possession of a dangerous weapon’. Both men were granted bail during their court hearing, after which Chunguane fled. A warrant is out for his arrest. Nyathi went poaching in Kruger a second time on 13 May 2019, this time entering via the Satara section. Rangers – with the help of a tracker dog – found Nyathi hiding under a big fallen tree. Rangers recovered a rifle without a serial number and ammunition. Nyathi was charged once again and this time was denied bail. He was convicted and sentenced on both incidents to a total of 25 years imprisonment. Nyathi has also been declared unfit to possess a firearm. Picture: Unsplash ALSO READ Three poachers arrested in Kruger plead guilty, sentenced to prison Related Posts Cape Town’s sustainability: Leading the way in environmental initiatives 1 June 2023 As National Environmental Month commences in South Africa, Cape Town stands proudly at the forefront... read more Kapama to host Safari Guide of the Year Awards 2023 1 June 2023 Kapama Private Game Reserve near Hoedspruit will host this year’s Safari Guide of the Year... read more Blood Lions relaunches for public viewing on YouTube 1 June 2023 Award-winning documentary feature film Blood Lions has been relaunched on YouTube for public viewing, creating... read more PREV ARTICLE NEXT ARTICLE
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