R136.5 million in upgrades underway in Addo Elephant National Park
SANParks has invested R136.5 million into upgrading facilities and basic infrastructure in the Addo Elephant National Park, aimed at enhancing tourism...
SANParks Welcomes the Sentencing of Three Poachers at Kruger National Park
Sipho Clarence Ngomane, Norman Thabang Mogale and Nkosana Ndlovu have been sentenced to an effective six (6) to eight (8) years by the Skukuza Regional Court on Wednesday, December 6, 2023, for rhino poaching-related criminal activities. The three were arrested in July 2017 for poaching activities in the Kruger National Park (KNP). The fourth suspect, Lawrence Fanuel Ubisi pleaded guilty earlier and was sentenced in August 2023.
The four were arrested in KNP whilst driving a hired vehicle, which upon inspection after getting stopped by vigilant SANParks Protection Services, was found with a large calibre hunting rifle, ammunition, and backpacks with food.
Details of the court sentences are as follows:
- Thabang Mogale, Sipho Clarence Ngomane and Nkosana Ndlovu are sentenced to six years imprisonment for possession of prohibited firearm.
- Norman Thabang Mogale, Sipho Clarence Ngomane and Nkosana Ndlovu are sentenced to two years imprisonment for possession of unlicensed ammunition.
- Sipho Clarence Ngomane and Nkosana Ndlovu are sentenced to two years for trespassing in a National Park
All three were declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of Act 60 of 2000.