Two suspects caught with rhino horns valued at R2.9m in 2018 were sentenced on Monday to effective jail terms of 15 years each by the Kempton Park regional court.
Ntsako Miaas Maluleke, 37, and Phanuel Vutivi Chabalala, 36, were found guilty of receiving, possessing, transporting, and exporting rhino horns, contravening the National Environmental Management Biodiversity Act.
Maluleke and Chabalala were apprehended at OR Tambo International Airport on August 18, 2018, while attempting to transport two boxes containing 27 rhino horns weighing a total of 29.47kg to Vietnam.
“They were granted bail of R2,000 each on August 20, 2018. While on bail, both absconded in September 2019 and were later tracked down and rearrested in Vhuwani in 2020,” stated Hawks spokesperson Col Katlego Mogale.
In other news – Arrest of Musa Khawula amid proceedings of late boyfriend’s murder trial
Musawenkosi ‘Musa’ Khawula, known for his controversial social media presence and involvement in gossip, has found himself in legal trouble once again. Recently, the South African socialite was arrested due to an outstanding warrant related to a civil case, while attending a murder trial where he was accused of killing his boyfriend earlier this year.
The arrest took place at the Vredenburg Magistrates Court, where Musa was attending proceedings regarding the alleged murder. According to reports from Daily Sun, the National Prosecuting Authority confirmed that Musa was apprehended by the court sheriff for failing to appear in a civil case in Gauteng. Read More
