Poacher sentenced to an effective nine years behind bars

Poacher sentenced to an effective nine years behind bars

A 35-year-old Mozambican national who was in the country illegally has been sentenced by the Skukuza regional court for poaching-related offences.

Thomas Yingwana was caught armed and hunting at the Kruger National Park. 

The court heard how in November 2022, Yingwana entered the park illegally and was caught with a hunting firearm, ammunition, and other items geared for hunting in his possession.

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The Skukuza police were notified and he was arrested and charged accordingly.

The accused pleaded guilty to the charges against him.

Yesterday, the Skukuza regional court sentenced Yingwana to two years imprisonment on the charge of trespassing. For the contravention of the Immigration Act, he was sentenced to one year imprisonment.

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For the possession of an unlicensed firearm, he was sentenced to six years imprisonment.

For the illegal possession of ammunition, he was sentenced to two years imprisonment.

For the possession of an unlicensed firearm with the intention to commit crime, he was sentenced to four years imprisonment.

For the possession of a dangerous weapon, he was sentenced to one year imprisonment.

He will effectively spend nine years behind bars.

Yingwana was also declared unfit to own a firearm.