MEDIA RELEASE
TORTOISE KILLERS SENTENCED
For immediate release Tortoise sentence……….
A practicing Sangoma, Sindisiwe Mkhize (48) from Edendale with her four accused were
sentenced by Pietermaritzburg Court yesterday. The five accused were sentenced to combinations of
suspended imprisonment, community service and restrictions on future permits after spending months
in prison awaiting trial.
This sentence came after SAPS member drove passed a house in Edendale and noticed a tortoise
being hacked up by people in a garden. He immediately summoned the Organised Crime Detectives
responsible for the of wildlife crimes. Further investigations revealed that the Tortoise was an
endangered species of Seychelles which had been stolen from the Lion Park. The investigation drew
from the expertise of a reptile expert, the SPCA and Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife. Several other
endangered species such as Lion, Leopard, water Leguaan, with many other animal parts were found
and confiscated in the house of the first accused.
The first accused, Mkhize was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment suspended for 5 years and 150
hours of community service and she was further prevented from obtaining any form of wildlife permit
for a period of 6 months.
It was established that the four accused have also been involved in the theft and
transportation of the Tortoise to Mkhize. These were Nhlanhla Ngcobo (31) who got 12 months
suspended for 5 years and 100 hours of community service for the theft and the remaining three,
Siyabonga Dlamini (23), Bongani Sibiya (33) and Sithembiso Gumede (32) each received a suspended
sentence of 12 months suspended for 5years. The community service will be served with Ezemvelo KZN
Wildlife and the accused will be involved in a program of alien plant eradication.
KwaZulu-Natal Wildlife Crime Working Group, Rod Potter welcomed the sentence and commented
that the accused would now be able to contribute to the improvement of the environment. The lengthy
imprisonment prior to the finalization of the case and the remorse shown by all of the accused, has
enabled the court to hand down this appropriate sentence. Not only at punishing the unlawful
actions but also providing them an opportunity to change their behaviour in the future. Ezemvelo
KZN Wildlife hope they will all learn the value of the wildlife.
Ends…………
MNZ// MEDIA RELEASE News Release No. 8 8
August 2007
