By Thokozani Mazibuko
A POLICE officer and two other men were arrested for poaching after they were found in possession of a Duiker (Impunzi) carcass.
Ntokozo Goodwill Masilela (47) (cop), Gabangani Hamilton Lukhele (51) and Bhekiwe Quinton Lukhele (21) appeared before Manzini Magistrate, Thami Ndlovu, on Tuesday.
The three accused were charged with contravention of Section 8 (4) as read with Section 8 (5) of the Game Act no: 51/1953 as amended.
They are alleged to have committed the offence on March 15, 2023, at Mhlambanyatsi Village in the Manzini district.
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According to the charge sheet, the accused persons each or all of them acting jointly in furtherance of a common purpose and not being holders of a valid permit were wrongfully and unlawfully found in possession of a common game being a grey duiker (impunity) carcass and thereby contravene the said Act.
One of the investigating officers, Constable Nosipho Zwane from Mhlambanyatsi Police Station informed the court while leading evidence to prove the commission of the offence that on March 15, 2023,
she was on duty when she received a call from Inspector Dlamini, who informed her that three men who were suspected of poaching had been apprehended.
She mentioned that acting on the instruction of Dlamini, she proceeded to the scene, where upon arrival, she found three men travelling in a motor vehicle, who had the carcass of a Duiker.
“We introduced ourselves as police officers from Mhlambanyatsi Police Station and we asked them for a licence and a permit for the Duicker and they failed to produce same.
I then cautioned them according to the judges’ rules and explained to them that they were under arrest, and they were not obliged to say anything because anything they say can be used against them in the court of law,” she said.
She mentioned that they then proceeded to the Mhlambanyatsi police post where she detained them.
The accused persons were remanded out of custody until June 27, 2024, for the continuation of trial.
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Meanwhile, in the event the accused persons are found guilty, the Crown applied for forfeiture of the items that were used in the commission of the offence,
Which included amongst others, a Jericho Pistol Serial No: 41351239 with its holder, 12 live rounds of ammunition, 12 Bore short gun serial No: 96051832 with 28 live rounds of ammunition.
Two blue torches, two black torches, a black/green torch, bush knife, grey basin and two walkie talkies.
