‘Rhino poacher begs for mercy’

06 October, 2011 11:38:00 By Joseph Zulu

AN alleged rhino poacher fled to a homestead and asked to hide there.
“Please let me in,” the poacher shouted as he shook a burglar gate.
The suspect is amongst the three poachers who were shot dead last week.
camped
Police officers from Siteki and Simunye had camped around Hlane game reserve after a tip off that the poachers were hiding inside the game reserve. The police confronted the poachers and a shoot out ensured. Three of the suspects were shot in the skirmmish.

...suspects all South Africans

The rhino poaching suspects who were shot dead are South Africans, says Senior Game Warden George Mbatha.
Mbatha said it was not true that two of the suspects were Swazis.
“One of the South Africans was amongst the group that killed the first rhino,” said Mbatha.
The other suspects are Matjekwane Mahlalela and his nephew and Mqhineni Matsebula who were arrested but later released on bail.
represented
They were represented by Siteki-based lawyer Kush Vilakati when they appeared before Simunye Magistrate, Philisiwe Dlamini. Mahlalela and Matsebula were charged with contravening of the Wild Game Act, being in illegal possession of a .22 rifle and a .303 rifle and ammunition.