Hawks swoop - three jailed for poaching in Limpopo

Three men have been convicted and jailed for poaching by the Modimolle Regional Court in Limpopo, the Hawks say.

Mozambicans Davida Mbendani, 41, Amos Mabaso, 40, and Shadrack Membe, 38, were sentenced on Monday to a combined total of 11 years in prison, said Captain Paul Ramaloko.

Mbendani and Mabaso were jailed for three years each. Membe was sentenced to five years behind bars.

This was after these guys were caught in the act of poaching in April 2011, at Welgevonden Game Farm, in Vaalwater in Limpopo," said Ramaloko.

"One hunting rifle was confiscated. They were arrested before they could kill any rhino."

The head of the Hawks in Limpopo, Major General Dibero Molatjana, said this was a clear message that the Hawks in the province would not stop until they got to the bottom of all poaching in the province.