The Skukuza Regional Court has sentenced a former Kruger field ranger to direct imprisonment for poaching in the Kruger National Park after the state could prove, that his version that he was attacked and shot the animal in self-defence, was false.

Eckson Musa Matumba (41) was found guilty of killing a rhino and was convicted and sentenced on November 17.

According to the provincial spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority, Monica Nyuswa, on September 22, 2020, two Skukuza field rangers, including the accused, were deployed at the Nwanetsi Section. The accused left his colleague and went to poach a rhino.

“He fatally shot the rhino and went back to his colleague. He pretended that nothing had happened. When confronted, he reported that the rhino had attacked him and that he shot it in self-defence.

“In court, the accused pleaded not guilty, and prosecutor Lot Mgiba led evidence of an expert to prove the state’s case.

“It proved that when the rhino was shot, it was not attacking the accused. Other evidence confirmed that the accused was in a kneeling position when he shot the rhino,” said Nyuswa.