KZN wildlife officials call for tough sentences in poaching cases
KwaZulu-Natal wildlife authorities want harsher sentences handed down to convicted rhino poachers.
A nearly decade-long poaching case wrapped up in the Durban Magistrate's Court this week.
Muntungokwakhe Khoza, Ayanda Buthelezi and Mduduzi Xulu were arrested in 2009 after a poaching incident in the Hluhluwe-Imfolozi Park in northern KZN.
A series of delays saw the case drag on until Monday, when the magistrate found them guilty of poaching-related charges.
"The sentences are as follows - accused one was sentenced to 14 years direct imprisonment, accused two was given ten years - a wholly suspended sentence and a fine of R6000. Accused three was given a ten-year wholly suspended sentence and a fine of R8000," the NPA's Natasha Kara said.
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Ezemvelo's Musa Mntambo says two poachers should've been handed jail time.
"We are happy with the sentences given to Mr. Khoza but we are quite disappointed with the sentences of Mr. Buthelezi, and Mr. Xulu because we feel that they were all involved. They should also have been given direct imprisonment," Mntambo said.
