Nelspruit: 24 August 2023- 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 today, 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, ammunition as well as other items geared for hunting in his possession. 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 court and the state presented an 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 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 unlicenced firearm with an intention to commit crime, the accused was sentenced to four (04) years imprisonment. On count 6 - Possession of dangerous weapon, the accused was sentenced to one (01) year imprisonment.
The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm. Count 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 an excellent work done by the rangers from SANPARKS, the investigation team, the Prosecution team, and the Judiciary which culminated into the well deserved sentence. "We I hope that the sentence will serve as a deterrence to others who might consider emulating the actions of the accused, "said the General.