The Skukuza Regional Court has sentenced a rhino poacher to 32 years in direct prison after he was found guilty on several poaching-related charges.
Freedom Siyabonga Ndlovu (32) was found guilty on three charges of rhino poaching, as well as illegally entering the Kruger National Park, illegal possession of a firearm, conspiracy to commit a crime, possession of a dangerous weapon and possession of ammunition. .
The crimes were committed in November 2016.
Monica Nyuswa, spokeswoman for the National Prosecuting Authority, says game wardens at the time received information from poachers in the Stelznek area. At the scene, they caught three persons, among them Alberto Valoyi, Fanwell Ndobe and Ndlovu, with a hunting rifle, ammunition, six fresh rhino horns and an ax in their possession.
All three were arrested, but Ndobe and Ndlovu fled after the court granted bail. Only Valoyi was tried, found guilty and sentenced at that stage.
Ndlovu was later re-arrested and tried. Ndobe is still at large.
During his trial, Ndlovu denied the allegations against him.
However, the evidence against him was too heavy. This included a ballistics report which confirmed that the bullets in the carcasses came from the gun found in Ndlovu’s possession.
He was found guilty and sentenced.
