Another glitch in the nine year ongoing trial of senior Kruger National Park (KNP) officials could see the trial delayed even longer.
In the latest incidence, evidence which were not properly sealed, gave the defence attorney another opportunity to question the guilt of former KNP Regional Ranger, Rodney Landela and state Veterinary Technician, Kenneth Mutshotsho.
The two accused again appeared in Court on February 20 when the Forensic Investigator, Cindy Harper, took the witness stand.
Harper testified that blood found in two pairs of shoes and on an axe in Landela’s car matched the DNA of two rhino horns found in Motshotsho’s vehicle when they were arrested on July 27, 2016. Harper also said some of the evidence bags were not properly sealed.
“The plastic bag carrying the knife and axe was partially unsealed, while the other items – boots, sandals and jacket- were put in different plastic bags. However, these different items were in one big bag when we received them and the bag was not sealed,” she testified.
The defence attorney, Advocate Mswazi Makhubela appearing for Landela and Motshotsho, argued that since the evidence was not properly sealed and at some point all together in one bag, evidence might have contaminated. He questioned the credibility of the results, demanding it not to be considered.
The state is expected to call more witnesses as the trials continues.
Lamdela and Motshotso was arrested after SANParks rangers were on patrol in the Satara area when they heard three gunshots close to Kingfisher Spruit at 13:00 on July 27. They rushed in the direction of the shots to investigate. As they approached, they saw two men, one in a green ranger uniform and the other one in khaki clothes, running towards a bakkie parked nearby and speeding off.
The patrolling rangers found the carcass of a white rhino in the area that was obviously poached just a few minutes before they arrived on the scene. The rangers gave chase and called for assistance. The SANParks chopper and other also rangers rushed to the scene.
The suspects’ bakkie was cut off by another group of rangers at Satara. . When stopped, Landela gave ordered Motshotso to drive away while he stayed behind. He initially drove away and it later turned out that he got rid of damning evidence before returning.
The rangers became suspicious and searched the bakkie in which blood-covered shoes were found. They also found a high-calibre hunting rifle and two rhino horns in the veld which was probably dropped by Motshotso from the bakkie in the veld when he drove away. The two, who are out on R20 000 bail, are facing charges relating to the contravention of environmental laws.
Both Landela and Motshotsho were later found guilty during a disciplinary hearing and were dismissed.
Meanwhile The KNP spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla, said they are dealing with a major poaching crisis. More than 40 staff members had been arrested and sentenced while others are still awaiting trial for their involvement in rhino poaching.
Phaahla, said Landela, who had been in the KNP’s service for 15 years, had received several KNP Achievement Awards, including an Individual Achievement Award in 2012. He is also highly regarded by the Game Rangers Association of which he is an executive member. He started out as a general worker in the KNP.
Landela had a distinguished career as a ranger, and it was generally believed he would one day become chief ranger of the world-renowned park. Both Landela and Motshotsho were later found guilty during a disciplinary hearing and were dismissed.
Landela had a distinguished career as a ranger, and it was generally believed he would one day become chief ranger of the world-renowned park.
