Three former Skukuza officials have been sentenced to between 10 and 12 years’ imprisonment for poaching-related offences.

The trio was sentenced by the Skukuza Regional Court on April 24.

According to Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, two former security officers, Nyiko Gumede (40) and Nomsa Ndlovu (42), were each sentenced to an effective 12 years’ direct imprisonment, while their co-accused, Ludwick Mhlaba (44), a technician, was sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment.

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Gumede and Ndlovu were convicted on two counts: the killing of a rhino and conspiracy to commit a crime. Mhlaba was convicted on a single count of killing a rhino.

The court heard that on the night of October 19, 2020, rangers from the Sabie Sand Section responded to gunshots and discovered a rhino carcass near a firearm, fresh rhino horns, and a cellphone. It was suspected that the perpetrators had fled upon noticing the rangers.

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“Although an immediate search proved unsuccessful, investigators analysed the recovered cellphone and identified a call made shortly before the rangers’ arrival. Police then contacted the last dialled number, posing as a corrupt ranger offering to hand over the rhino horns in exchange for payment.

“The call was answered by Gumede, and arrangements were made for delivery. Police subsequently obtained authorisation for an entrapment operation in terms of Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act. An undercover officer later confirmed the arrangement, with Ndlovu providing details of the vehicle to be used,” Nyuswa said.

At the agreed location, police found all three accused inside a vehicle driven by Mhlaba. They were arrested at the scene and later released on bail.

She added that during the trial, all three accused pleaded not guilty.

The State, led by Prosecutor Lot Mgiba, presented compelling evidence, including testimony from rangers and police officers involved in the operation, as well as DNA evidence linking the recovered horns to the rhino carcass found in the Sabie Sand Section.

The court found the state witnesses credible and convicted the accused.

In aggravation of sentence, Mgiba emphasised that the accused had been entrusted with protecting wildlife but instead betrayed that trust by participating in poaching activities. He urged the court to impose a sentence that reflects the seriousness of the offences and acts as a deterrent.

The court found no substantial and compelling circumstances to justify a deviation from the prescribed minimum sentence.

Gumede and Ndlovu were each sentenced to 10 years’ imprisonment for killing a rhino and four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy.

The court ordered that a portion of the sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 12 years’ direct imprisonment. Mhlaba was sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment.

All three accused were also declared unfit to possess firearms.