Skukuza poacher sentenced to 10 years in jail
The accused was arrested in the Kruger National Park while trying to poach animals.
The Skukuza Regional Court sentenced Cornelius Collen Mofokeng (41) today, to 10 years’ direct imprisonment for poaching-related offences.
According to the National Prosecuting Authority’s regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, Mofokeng was convicted on seven counts, including trespassing, possession of a firearm with the intent to commit a crime, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of a firearm, possession of ammunition, possession of a dangerous weapon and conspiracy to commit crime.
His conviction stems from a June 30, 2016, incident when rangers in the Stolzneck Section of the Kruger National Park found the footprints of three individuals and tracked them down. They apprehended Sizwe Mduduzi Mathebula, Cornelius Collen Mofokeng and Surprise Mashele in possession of a hunting rifle, ammunition and other dangerous weapons,” she said.
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Nyuswa also said all three men were granted bail. Mathebula later pleaded guilty and was sentenced, resulting in the separation of trials. Mofokeng and Mashele absconded, and the court issued warrants for their arrest. Mofokeng was rearrested in 2022, while Mashele remains at large.
Although Mofokeng initially pleaded not guilty, he later changed his plea to guilty. State prosecutor Lot Mgiba led evidence from the rangers and a police officer who confirmed Mofokeng’s fingerprints were found on the firearm.
Mofokeng was sentenced as follows:
• One year for trespassing.
• Four years for possession of a firearm with the intent to commit a crime.
• Six years for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
• Five years for possession of a firearm.
• Two years for possession of ammunition.
• One year for possession of a dangerous weapon.
• Four years for conspiracy to commit an offence.
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The court ordered that the sentence on counts 1 and 7 run concurrently, and counts 2, 4, 5, and 6 run concurrently with count 3. This results in an effective sentence of ten years’ direct imprisonment. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
