Online Reporter
Thupeyo Muleya, Beitbridge Bureau
Two Zimbabwean nationals and their South African accomplice have each been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to a foiled rhino poaching operation in South Africa’s Limpopo province.
The trio — Kholwani Mwembe (40) and Emmanuel Marombedze (36), both Zimbabwean, and Stephen Tshoeu (49), a South African — were arrested in March 2024 in the Steilloop following a joint sting operation involving police, SANParks officials and private security personnel.
Limpopo police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng said the suspects were intercepted on March 22 at around 11pm during an operation conducted by the Provincial Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STES).
A suspicious vehicle was stopped, leading to the arrest of the three suspects,
Police recovered a stolen rifle, seven rounds of ammunition, a knife, a silencer and a Honda Jazz with Gauteng registration plates.
The firearm had been reported stolen in Alldays in May 2023.
The men were charged with conspiracy to commit rhino poaching, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.
They pleaded guilty in the Mahwelereng Regional Court on February 3, 2025, and were sentenced on March 31.
“They were sentenced as follows; Count 1: Conspiracy to commit a crime of rhino poaching: 5 years’ imprisonment or a fine of R5 000; Count 2: Possession of a firearm without a licence: 4 years imprisonment or a fine of R4 000; and Count 3: Possession of ammunition without a permit: two years imprisonment or a fine of R2 000,” said Lt Col Thakeng.
The court said all sentences should run concurrently with the five-year term imposed under Count 1 effectively jailing the trio for five years.
