LIMPOPO – Sanparks has applauded the sentencing of a poacher, Elias Sithole, by the Skukuza Regional Court.

Sithole was arrested during a special operation on January 23, 2020, at the Kruger and Phabeni gates of the Kruger National Park (KNP).

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 with the vehicle coming to a halt.

Two men 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.

Backup response units comprising of rangers, the Environmental Investigation Unit, protection services, Skukuza police and local Criminal Record Centre rushed to the scene. A hunting rifle, ammunition and two knives were recovered from the vehicle.

Sithole was found guilty on six counts and will serve an effective 11 years in prison.