The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has welcomed the sentencing of two men caught in the Kruger National Park (KNP). The two, Enock Sibanda (31) and Eckson Shirinda (28), are both from Mozambique and was sentenced to eight years imprisonment for poaching-related offences by the Malamulele Regional Court on Monday.
Although Sibanda and Shirinda pleaded not guilty, they were convicted of trespassing in the Skukuza area of this national park. They were also convicted for contravening the Immigration Act, the possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition, illegal hunting and the killing of an elephant.
Sibanda and Shirinda were arrested inside the park on 14 November 2018. The state prosecutor, Norman Makhubele, told the court about the impact of animal poaching on the environment. He said poaching affected the environment by depleting certain species of animals which can cause endangered wildlife to become extinct. He argued for a suitable sentence.
The two accused were jointly convicted on these charges through common purpose. The court sentenced Sibanda and Shirinda to eight years for illegal hunting and the killing of an elephant by removing its tusk, 12 months' imprisonment for trespassing, 12 months for contravening the Immigration Act and eight years for possession of an illegal firearm and ammunition. The court ordered the sentences to run concurrently.