Two Zimbabwean nationals and their South African accomplice have each been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to charges related to a foiled rhino poaching operation in South Africa’s Limpopo province. The trio - Kholwani Mwembe (40) and Emmanuel Marombedze (36), both Zimbabwean, and Stephen Tshoeu (49), a South African - were arrested in March 2024 in the Steilloop following a joint sting operation involving police, SANParks officials and private security personnel. Limpopo police spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Stephen Thakeng said the suspects were intercepted on March 22 at around 11pm during an operation conducted by the Provincial Stock Theft and Endangered Species Unit (STES). A suspicious vehicle was stopped, leading to the arrest of the three suspects, Police recovered a stolen rifle, seven rounds of ammunition, a knife, a silencer and a Honda Jazz with Gauteng registration plates. The firearm had been reported stolen in Alldays in May 2023. The men were charged with conspiracy to commit rhino poaching, unlawful possession of a firearm, and unlawful possession of ammunition.