The Kathu high court in the Northern Cape on Thursday (14/3)  sentenced three poachers to a combined 75 years in prison for charges ranging from possession of a firearm to murder. The three men, David Mecwi (27), Kethamile Kooper (26), and Tebogo Megare (27) will each spend 25 years in prison.

In April 2020, police near the border of South Africa and Botswana were alerted of four sets of unknown footprints entering a farm, according to Hawks spokesperson Nomthandazo Mnisi.

Police swiftly deployed helicopter services and the anti-poaching unit to track down the suspects, since there has been a number of poaching incidents on the farm. In their pursuit of the suspects, a shootout ensued, with one suspect killed and three injured and taken to hospital for treatment.

After a series of court appearances, the men were sentenced for charges including illegal immigration, possession of an unlicenced firearm and ammunition, trespassing, and murder.

OFM News