Kathu High Court convicted and sentenced David Mecwi (27), Kethamile Kooper (26) and Tebogo Megare (27) to a combined 75 years’ imprisonment on several counts of criminal activities on Thursday, 14 March 2024.
During April 2020, police within the farm borders of South Africa and Botswana were informed of four sets of unknown footprints entering a farm.
Several role players including chopper services and Anti-Poaching Unit were also contacted to assist in tracking the accused as the owner of the farm experienced poachers in the past.
From an aerial view from the chopper, the suspects were spotted and ground members were alerted of their whereabouts. When ground members approached the suspects, a shootout ensued and one of the suspects was killed. Three other suspects were injured and taken to hospital.
Accused made a series of court appearances until their sentencing.
Accused were sentenced as follows:
- Count 1: Illegal Immigrant, sentenced to 12 years imprisonment.
- Count 2: Possession of Firearm, sentenced to five years’ imprisonment
- Count 3: Possession of unlicensed firearm, five years’ imprisonment.
- Count 4: Possession of unlawful ammunition, five years’ imprisonment.
- Count 5: Entering a land with wild animals with possession of a weapon, two years’ imprisonment.
- Count 6: Entering a restricted captivity with a threatened species, two years’ imprisonment.
- Count 7: Attempted Murder, not guilty
- Count 8: Murder, ten years’ imprisonment
Count 3 and 4 will run concurrently. Each accused will serve a total of 25 years’ direct imprisonment.
