Ntsaku Prince Letswele (27) was found guilty and convicted by the Ermelo Regional Court on Monday, 1 July 2024, after he was arrested twice for possession of rhino horns during December 2022 and March 2023 respectively.
On the 8 December 2022, Letswele was arrested together with his co-accused, Junior Jorge Chauke (42) by the Ermelo police after information was received and followed up regarding a Toyota double cab with suspects in possession of firearms and rhino horn.
The vehicle was stopped. The suspects tried to run away but were apprehended and brought back to the vehicle. The vehicle was searched and found four rhino horns hidden in the bonnet to the value of R876 000.00. They were arrested, charged and detained. The duo appeared in court several times until they were granted bail.
On 9 March 2023, information was received by the police about a white Nissan Qashqai driving on R543 road towards Piet Retief carrying rhino horns. The vehicle was spotted, stopped, and searched. Upon searching, two rhino horns were found hidden to the value of R607 260.00. The suspect was arrested, charged and detained.
During preliminary investigation, it was established that the accused was previously arrested and released on bail for similar charges. The accused was detained and never granted bail until he was found guilty on Monday, 1 July 2024 by the Ermelo Regional Court on count 1-3. He was sentenced to 18 years imprisonment of which 6 years imprisonment is suspended for a period of 5 years on condition that the accused is not convicted of contravening Sec.57 (1) of Act 10/2004 committed during the period of suspension ITO of Sec. 35 (2) of Act 51/1977.
Court ordered that the horns in question be forfeited to the State.
His co-accused, is still at large. He was circulated on media as wanted. Anyone with information is requested to report to the Police.