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06 July 2023

22-Year Jail Term For Poacher And Five Suspects Apprehended

South African National Parks (SANParks) today congratulated the National Prosecuting Authority in Mpumalanga, after the Skukuza Regional court, convicted and sentenced a rhino poacher to an effective 22-year jail term.

Enoch Ngobeni was arrested on 17 April 2023 after Rangers heard gunshots and ran into two individuals while investigating the source of the shots, one was armed with a gun and the other was in possession of two fresh rhino horns in the Lower Sabie/Tshokwane Sections of the Kruger National Park (KNP). His co-accused who was in possession of the rifle managed to evade arrest. The court found Ngobeni guilty on six counts and sentenced him as follows:

  • Trespass in a National Park: two years
  • Illegal Immigrant: One year
  • Restricted Activity in a national park (hunting rhino): Ten years
  • Restricted activity (hunting rhino): Ten years
  • Possession of a dangerous weapon: One year
  • Conspiracy to commit a crime: Four years

The court ordered these sentences in count 1 and 2, to run concurrently, as well as count 4,5 and 6, resulting in an effective 22 years imprisonment.

In yet another breakthrough, five suspected rhino poachers were arrested along the R40 near Hoedspruit by a multi-task team of detectives from the Endangered Species Unit, SANParks, Focused Conservation Solutions, Hoedspruit SAPS and Hoedspruit Farm Watch. The intelligence driven operation occurred on 04 July 2023 and led to the confiscation of:

  • 1 x 303 hunting rifle
  • 10 x 303 live rounds
  • 1 x axe

The suspects are expected to appear in court in due course.

The Managing Executive of the KNP, Oscar Mthimkhulu congratulated all the teams, saying “the message is loud and clear, criminality does not pay and the cooperation between different stakeholders and law enforcement agencies is biting hard to ensure the safety of our natural resources. Our tight security systems are making it difficult for criminals to operate with impunity and the courts are giving appropriate sentences, we are grateful to all who are with us in fighting this worthy cause” concluded Mthimkhulu.

Issued By

South African National Parks – Kruger National Park

Media enquiries:
Isaac Phaahla
GM: Communications & Marketing, Kruger National Park
Tel: 013 735 4363, cell: 083 673 6974 or email: [email protected]