“Phiri and Kanyembo pleaded guilty on all charges, which included receiving, transporting and possession of illegally poached abalone as well as money laundering,” said Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani.
Hani said they were sentenced to 10 years' imprisonment for money laundering of which five years were suspended for five years with “stringent” bail conditions.
“Additionally, they were each sentenced to five years' imprisonment for receiving or possession of illegal abalone, of which four years is suspended, and a further two years' imprisonment for transportation of illegal abalone,” said Hani.
The sentences will run concurrently and the duo are expected to serve an effective five years' direct imprisonment.
The court also ordered that they pay R60,000 into the Criminal Asset Recovery Account. This is over and above the R43,320 which was recovered during their arrest and forfeited to the state.
TimesLIVE