The Skukuza Regional Court sentenced Silas Mathebula (38), a Mozambican national, to 30 years in prison yesterday for poaching-related offences committed in 2019.

Mpumalanga News reports that, according to provincial NPA spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, Mathebula was convicted on multiple charges, including trespassing, conspiracy to commit a crime, killing three rhinos, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm, and possession of a hunting rifle and ammunition.

“On November 23, 2019, a section ranger patrolling the Malelane Section spotted a suspicious vehicle carrying five occupants. Upon stopping and searching the vehicle, the ranger discovered a rifle, six fresh rhino horns, and ammunition. All five suspects were arrested. They were identified as Zwelithini Mathebula, Lucky Mhlongo, Teddy Dlamini, Silas Mathebula, and Forster Lubisi, who was later killed by crocodiles while attempting to escape.

“Mathebula and another accused, Lucky Hlungwane, absconded after being granted bail. However, Mathebula was rearrested while committing a similar offence in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve in KZN. He was subsequently transferred to Skukuza to stand trial. Meanwhile, the trial against the remaining three accused proceeded. They too were convicted and sentenced by the same court,” says Nyuswa.

She adds that during the trial, state prosecutor Lot Mgiba presented compelling evidence, including testimony from the ranger who arrested Mathebula. DNA analysis confirmed that the rhino horns found in the suspects’ vehicle matched the carcasses of three poached rhinos. Ballistic evidence showed that bullets recovered from the rhino carcasses were fired from the firearm found in the suspects’ possession.

As part of the sentencing, the court declared Mathebula unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.

“Poaching remains a serious threat to biodiversity and endangered species, with devastating long-term consequences. The NPA welcomes this sentence and reaffirms its commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting South Africa’s wildlife for future generations,” Nyuswa concludes.

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