News

South African National Parks (SANParks) applauds the sentencing of a poacher, Elias Sithole (South African) by the Skukuza Regional Court for poaching-related activities in the Kruger National Park. Sithole was found guilty on six counts yesterday, 10 April 2025.

During a special operation on 23 January 2020, Kruger and Phabeni Gates Dog Handlers noticed a suspicious vehicle travelling on a gravel road between Skukuza and Pretoriuskop. They flagged the vehicle to stop, but the driver did not comply. A short pursuit ensued, ending when the vehicle came to a stop. Two males exited the vehicle and fled into the bush whilst the driver remained inside the car. Upon inspection, a hunting rifle was found lying on the back seat of the vehicle. The driver claimed innocence and indicated that the two men who fled had tried to hijack him.

Back-up response units comprising of Rangers, Environmental Investigation Unit, Protection Services, SAPS Skukuz, and Local Criminal Record Centre rushed to the scene and assisted the Dog Handlers. A hunting rifle, ammunition, and two knives were recovered from the vehicle.

Yesterday, 10 April 2025 Sithole was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment, with some sentences running concurrently. He was found guilty on charges as follows:

• Count 1 – Possession of unlicensed firearm (Contravention of Section 3, Act 60/2000
• Count 2 – Conspiracy to commit a crime (Contravention of Section 18 (2) (a), Act 17/1957
• Count 3 – Possession of prohibited firearm – serial number obliterated (Contravention of Section 4 (1) (iv), Act 60/2000
• Count 4 – Possession of firearm with intent to commit a crime (Contravention of section 120 (10) (b), Act 60/2000
• Count 5 – Possession of unlicensed ammunition (Contravention of Section 90, Act 60/2000
• Count 6 – Possession of dangerous weapons (knives) – (Contravention of Section 3 (1), Act 15/201

Sentences for counts 1 and 4 are to run concurrently with count 3. He will serve an effective 11 years in prison.