Limpopo Rhino poachers sentenced to 12 years

Two men have been sentenced to 12 years imprisonment each for rhino poaching, Limpopo police said on Tuesday.

The Naphuno Regional Court imposed the sentences on Hlengani Reckson Mathebula, 49, and Erick Mathebula, 37, on Monday, Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi said.

The Hawks arrested the two Mozambicans after a shoot-out between a group of poachers and Kruger National Park rangers on February 12 last year.

"Three rhino poachers were shot dead while the two Mathebulas managed to escape."

The men were tracked down and arrested in Lulekani and Phalaborwa, respectively. Each was in possession of a fresh rhino horn when they were arrested.