Two of five rhino horn accused sentenced

Two of five rhino horn accused sentenced Two of the five men arrested in Opuwo last year for being found in possession of rhino horns were on Friday sentenced to 11 years and six months’ imprisonment in the Opuwo Magistrate''s Court.
They were however given the option of fines to some of the counts against them.
The two are Samuel Gideon, 30; and Ndume Nakakuwa, 34; who appeared on four counts each.
Nakakuwa however had an additional charge of contravening traffic regulations by driving a vehicle without a licence.
As such, he got an additional sentence of 15 months in prison or alternatively a N$1 500 fine for driving without a licence.
The four counts they share are; the hunting of specially protected game; being in possession of controlled wildlife products (rhino horns); being in possession of firearms without a licence and unlawful possession of ammunition.
Magistrate Leena Iyambo sentenced the two to six years each on the count of hunting protected game, and three years’ imprisonment or a fine of N$15 000 on the second count of being in possession of controlled wildlife products.
On the third count, they each got a fine of N$2 000 or two years and six months in jail, while they were slapped with a fine of N$1 000 on the fourth count.
The other three accused persons in the matter are Benjamin Shikongo, 22; Uaparakana Kapuree, 28; and Tjizemba Kambamba Maverukuuni, 22. They are still in custody.
According to State prosecutor Obrey Ndlovu, the three accused could not be convicted as they pleaded ‘not guilty’ to the charges laid against them.
NAMPA