South African National Parks (SANParks) has welcomed the recent stiff sentencing of three poachers by the Skukuza Regional Court for the commission of illegal activities in the Kruger National Park.
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The three convicts found guilty are Sam Khosa (South African), Oddis Maluleke (Mozambican) and Solly Selahle (South African).
The fourth accused, who was a former SANParks employee (Philip Gumede), passed away before the conclusion of his trial.
The four were arrested on the morning of 15 February 2019 following a tip off that two poachers were in the park to commit crime.
While conducting surveillance, the Skukuza Regional Ranger saw a former field ranger (Philip Gumede) in SANParks uniform driving towards Skukuza.
The Regional Ranger tailed the suspect when he noticed Philip Gumede driving with two individuals who would later be identified as the convicts, Sam Khoza and Oddis Maluleke.
A second vehicle driven by Solly Selahle was spotted as he joined the other three at the gymnasium.
The Regional Ranger called for back-up whilst the quartet were at the gymnasium.
They were then observed getting into two vehicles departing from the gymnasium and driving towards Paul Kruger Gate.
Philip Gumede was alone in a vehicle whilst Solly Selahle was with Sam Khosa and Oddis Maluleke in another vehicle.
The two vehicles were then intercepted between Skukuza and Paul Kruger Gate.
Poaching equipment and a set of rhino horns were discovered in the vehicle driven by Philip Gumede.
The four were then arrested and detained at the Skukuza Police Station.
All four appeared at the Bushbuckridge Magistrate Court where they were granted bail.
Phillip Gumede passed away before the resumption of the trial that resulted in the three remaining accused getting guilty verdicts from the Skukuza Regional Court on 16 January 2025.
On Friday, 24 January 2025 the two poachers, Sam Khosa and Oddis Maluleke were each sentenced to 22 years imprisonment, with some sentences running concurrently.
They were found guilty on charges as follows:
- Count 1 – Trespassing in a National Park (contravention of Section 46 (1) of Act 57/2003
- Count 2 – Undocumented immigrants (contravention of Section 49 (1) of Act 13/2002
- Count 3 – Possession of unlicensed firearm (contravention of Section 3 of Act 60/2000
- Count 4 – Possession of firearm with intention to commit crime (contravention of Section 120 (10) (b) of Act 60/2000
- Count 5 – Possession of prohibited firearm serial number obliterated.
- Count 6 – Conspiracy to commit crime (contravention of Section 18 (2) (a) of Act 17/1956
- Count 7 – Illegal hunting of rhinoceros (contravention of Section 57 (1) of Act 10/2004
- Count 8 – Possession of unlicensed ammunitions (contravention of Section 90 of Act 60/2000
- Count 9 – Possession of dangerous weapon (contravention of Section 3 (1) of Act 15/2013.
Solly Selahle was sentenced to four years imprisonment and found guilty on a charge as follows:
- Count 1 – Conspiracy to commit crime (contravention of Section 18 (2) (a) of Act 17/1956.
What is a suitable punishment for those convicted of poaching?
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