{"id":6603,"date":"2025-08-14T11:44:56","date_gmt":"2025-08-14T09:44:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/?p=6603"},"modified":"2025-08-14T11:45:00","modified_gmt":"2025-08-14T09:45:00","slug":"farm-poacher-sentenced-to-15-years-for-rhino-poaching-scheme-in-limpopo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wedodis.co.za\/news\/farm-poacher-sentenced-to-15-years-for-rhino-poaching-scheme-in-limpopo\/","title":{"rendered":"Farm Poacher Sentenced to 15 Years for Rhino Poaching Scheme in Limpopo"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"AA man has received a 15-year prison sentence for trying to poach rhinos.<\/p>\n
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Cyrile Ndegeya\/Anadolu via Getty Images<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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  • A man has been handed a 15-year jail term for attempted rhino poaching.<\/b><\/li>\n
  • He was arrested after the attempt at a farm in Limpopo and linked via camera footage.<\/b><\/li>\n
  • Another person fled the scene.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
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    A man\u2019s effort to hunt rhinoceroses at a farm in Hoopdal, Limpopo, has led to a 15-year prison sentence.<\/p>\n

    Peter Zacharia Chaya, 27, was sentenced by the Thabazimbi Regional Court on Tuesday, as reported by police spokesperson, Colonel Malesela Ledwaba.<\/p>\n

    The events unfolded in April when law enforcement identified a vehicle involved in a poaching attempt.<\/p>\n

    \u201cWhen officers tried to stop the vehicle, the driver didn’t comply, lost control, and crashed into nearby bushes,\u201d Ledwaba explained.<\/p>\n

    The individual in the vehicle was subsequently arrested.<\/p>\n

    A second accomplice managed to escape.<\/p>\n

    \u201cGame camera footage from the farm positively linked the apprehended suspect to the attempted poaching incident.\u201d<\/p>\n

    He faced multiple charges and was subsequently convicted.<\/p>\n

    The court handed down various sentences that will be served concurrently.<\/p>\n

    This resulted in an effective jail term of 15 years.<\/p>\n

    Provincial police commissioner, Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe, remarked: \u201cThis sentence sends a strong message to those who threaten our protected wildlife. Our police officers in partnership with all stakeholders, remain resolute in combating poaching and safeguarding our natural heritage.\u201d<\/p>\n

    Last month, a suspected poacher’s body was discovered in the Kruger National Park. It is believed that he was killed during a confrontation with field rangers the night before.<\/p>\n

    Rangers returned to the area to resume the search for the alleged poachers and found the deceased.<\/p>\n

    Two rhino horns were located inside a backpack at the location.<\/p>\n

    In another incident in June, a suspected poacher was shot dead and another apprehended during a shooting incident with rangers who found them trespassing in the Satara area of Kruger National Park.<\/p>\n

    One of the individuals was armed. When rangers commanded them to halt, he opened fire, resulting in a shootout.<\/p>\n

    Police seized a hunting rifle, five rounds of ammunition, an axe, a knife, and two cellphones.<\/p>\n

    News24 previously reported that over 100 rhinos were poached in the first quarter of the year. Between January and March, there were 15 arrests related to rhino poaching.<\/p>\n

    Last year, 420 rhinos lost their lives.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n