Serengeti. The Serengeti District Court here has sentenced three people to 30 years in jail each after convicting them of killing George the rhino.
George was one of three rhinos brought in from South Africa and released in Serengeti National Park in 2010 to boost the rhino population in the world famous park in an exercise presided over by the then President, Mr Jakaya Kikwete.
The three include two brothers Thomas Nchagwa, 29, and Abraham Nchagwa, 25, residents of Kebanchabancha Village, and Nyageti Magasi, 50, a resident of Bwitengi Village. The two villages are in Serengeti District, Mara Region.
They were also charged with killing rhinos and elephants, unlawful possession of government trophies and illegal possession of a firearm.
Resident Magistrate Emmanuel Ngaile said the court was satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that prosecution had proved its case.
“Each of the accused will serve ten years in jail for each of the three counts, that is killing George the rhino and illegal possession of government trophies and a firearm,” said Mr Ngaile.
In the offence of illegal possession of a firearm, the accused were handed ten years in jail with an option of a Sh3 million fine.
In mitigation, Abrahim and Thomas asked the court to reduce the penalty, claiming they have been in custody for a long time.
Magasi claimed he was HIV-positive and that his wife died of Aids in 1999.
He asked the court for a lenient sentence, saying it was unlikely he would live long.
