The trial of Rodney Landela, a former Kruger National Park (KNP) regional ranger, and his co-accused, Kenneth Motshotsho, is continuing in the Skukuza Regional Court. The duo again appeared in court on Thursday, February 20, when the forensic investigator, Cindy Harper, took the witness stand.

Harper testified that blood found on two pairs of shoes and on an axe in Landela’s car matched the DNA of two rhino horns found in Motshotsho’s vehicle when they were arrested on July 27, 2016. Harper also said some of the evidence bags were not properly sealed. “The plastic bag carrying the knife and axe was partially unsealed, while the other items – boots, sandals and a jacket – were put in different plastic bags. However, these different items were in one big bag when we received them and the bag was not sealed,” she testified.

Advocate Mswazi Makhubela, representing Landela and Motshotsho, argued that since the evidence was not properly sealed and at some point all together in one bag, evidence might have been contaminated. He questioned the credibility of the results, demanding it not to be considered.

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The State will call more witnesses.

The KNP spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla, said they are dealing with a major poaching crisis. More than 40 staff members have been arrested and sentenced, while others are still awaiting trial for their alleged involvement in rhino poaching.
Phaahla said Landela, who had been in the KNP’s service for 15 years, had received several KNP achievement awards, including an individual award in 2012. He was also highly regarded by the Game Rangers Association of which he had been an professional member. He started out as a general worker in the KNP.

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Landela was arrested after SANParks rangers were on patrol in the Satara area when they heard three gunshots close to Kingfisherspruit at 13:00 on July 27, 2016. They rushed in the direction of the shots to investigate. As they approached, they saw two men, one in a green ranger uniform and the other one in khaki clothes, running towards a bakkie parked nearby and speeding off. The patrolling rangers found the carcass of a white rhino in the area that had obviously poached just a few minutes before they arrived on the scene. The rangers gave chase and called for assistance. The SANParks chopper and other also rangers rushed to the scene.

The suspects’ bakkie was cut off by another group of rangers at Satara. When stopped, Landela ordered Motshotso to drive away while he stayed behind. He initially drove away and it later turned out that he allegedly got rid of damning evidence before returning. The rangers became suspicious and searched the bakkie in which blood-covered shoes were found. They also found a high-calibre hunting rifle and two rhino horns in the veld, which were allegedly dropped by Motshotso when he drove away.