Staff Reporter
THE Gobabis Magistrates Court has declared self-styled prophet and preacher, Jackson Babi, unfit to possess a firearm for a period of four years and fined him N$370 000 or a jail term for 17 years.
The court stated this during the sentencing hearing, when the prophet was sentenced on 12 counts of crimes related to rhino poaching.
Babi was convicted on the counts of hunting special protected game, alternative conspiracy to hunt specially protected game, with a fine of N$100 000 or two years imprisonment and three years imprisonment.
The self-styled prophet was also sentenced on the count of hunting of special protected game with an alternative conspiracy to hunt specially protected game, with a fine of N$100 000 or two years imprisonment and three years direct imprisonment.
The magistrate court also sentenced Babi on count 3 and 4, which are relating to theft charges. On these counts, he was sentenced to two years imprisonment on each count respectively.
The court also sentenced Babi to a fine of N$5 000 or a 12-month imprisonment, subject to counts 5 and 6, both of which involve charges of supplying ammunition and possession of ammunition respectively.
While the self-proclaimed prophet was declared unfit to possess firearm, Babi was also fined N$30 000 or two years imprisonment in default of payment for counts 11, 12 and 18. Count 11 relates to charges of racketeering, while counts 12 and 18 were charges relating to money laundering.
On count 17, which is of possession of controlled wildlife products, Babi was fined with N$50 000 or three years imprisonment in default of payment as well as a fine of N$20 000 or imprisonment of two years in default of payment for count 19, which carried charges of attempting to commit a corrupt practice.
Insofar as Babi’s sentencing is concerned, the Ministry of Environment and Tourism has, through a press statement, acknowledged the sentencing, adding that it is hopeful that it will serve as a deterrent to those with intention to commit similar crimes.
“This judgement is pleasing to the Ministry as we view it to be commensurate with the nature of offences committed,” the statement read.
Babi reserves the right to appeal the judgement within 14 days.
