NELSPRUIT - The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the hefty sentence that was handed down by the Skukuza Regional Court to a poacher. The sentence was imposed upon Een Sihlangu (26) yesterday, Thursday 16 February 2023.

It is said that the accused was arrested three times in the Kruger National Park. The first was on 29 July 2018 when he was caught with his accomplice, 42-year Foster Lubisi (who has been previously sentenced after pleading guilty). Sihlangu and his fellow were granted bail then Sihlangu was arrested again on 15 April 2019 with another accomplice, Nelson Ndlovu who is set to have his trial on 16 March 2023. Sihlangu managed to get bail for the second time then on 23 April 2021 he was arrested and police succeeded that time in opposing his bail and he remained in custody until he pleaded guilty and sentenced yesterday (16 February 2023).

The court heard how the accused operated with his accomplices where they entered the Kruger National Park illegally. On the said occasions Field Rangers from Skukuza Section in the Kruger National Park discovered human footprints inside the park. This indicated to them that there were intruders who entered the park possibly with the intention to commit crime. The rangers then mobilised their resources, including the helicopter and began tracing. Sihlangu and his accomplices were eventually cornered and SAPS members were alerted where upon arrival the intruders were arrested as well as charged accordingly.

For the 2018 case:

On count 1 (trespassing in the National Park), he was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment.

On count 2 (possession of prohibited firearm, after a hunting rifle was found in their possession), the accused was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. On count 3 (possession of unlicenced ammunition, after some ammunition were found in their possession), the accused was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. On count 4 (possession of dangerous weapon due to the knives found with the accused), he was sentenced to 1 year imprisonment. The court ordered that the sentence on count 3 and 4 to run concurrently with the sentence on count 2. The accused was in short sentenced to 8 years imprisonment.

For the 2021 case:

On count 1 (trespassing in the National Park), the accused was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. On count 2 (possession of prohibited firearm), the accused was sentenced to 6 years imprisonment. On count 3 (possession of unlicenced ammunition), the accused was sentenced to 2 years imprisonment. On count 4 (possession of dangerous weapon), the accused was sentenced to 1 year imprisonment. The court ordered that the sentence on count 3 and 4 to run concurrently with the sentence in count 2. The accused on this case will spend 7 years in prison.

The total number of years to be spent by Sihlangu behind bars for his cases is effective 15 years imprisonment. The court further declared him unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearm Control Act (The other suspect was long sentenced)

The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has further applauded the Field Rangers from SANPARKS, the Investigation team, the Prosecution team as well as the Judiciary for their hardwork. The General also indicated that the sentence will in a way serve as a deterrence to others who might consider emulating the actions of the accused.

Source: South African Police Service