Skukuza: Police have commended the sentencing of three wildlife poachers, who have been found guilty of a number of serious crimes by the Skukuza Regional Court. Two South African citizens, Sam Khosa (40) and Solly Bennett Selahle (30), along with Mozambican national, Oddis Maluleke (46), were sentenced by the court on Friday, 24 January.

According to South African Government News Agency, the court proceedings revealed that a regional field ranger observed suspicious activity inside the Kruger National Park (KNP) on Friday, 15 February 2019, involving the accused individuals. A field ranger, who passed away before the case was finalized in court, was seen transporting two passengers in his vehicle and meeting with another individual, later identified as Selahle. The regional ranger immediately called for backup.

The police intercepted two vehicles, a VW Polo and a Hyundai, on the road between Skukuza and the Kruger Gate. Upon searching the Hyundai, they discovered one hunting rifle with ammunition, one rhino horn, two knives, and some clothing items. The four suspects were immediately arrested and charged accordingly, and the two vehicles were confiscated by the police.

During their court appearance, the four were granted bail at the Bushbuckridge District Court. As proceedings continued at the Skukuza Regional Court, the implicated field ranger passed away, leaving the other three suspects to face trial.

After a lengthy legal process, Khosa and Maluleke were convicted on several counts, receiving a cumulative sentence of 22 years in prison. Their charges included trespassing in a national park, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of a firearm with the intention to commit a crime, possession of a prohibited firearm, conspiracy to commit a crime, illegal hunting of rhinoceros, possession of unlicensed ammunition, and possession of a dangerous weapon. The court ordered that some of the sentences run concurrently.

Selahle, on the other hand, was sentenced to four years in prison for conspiracy to commit a crime. The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General Dr. Zeph Mkhwanazi, commended the collaboration between various stakeholders, which led to the successful conviction of the poachers. He expressed hope that the sentences will serve as a deterrent to others contemplating similar actions.