Once seen as the ‘crown prince’ of game rangers in the Kruger National Park (KNP), Rodney Landela (43), was back in court from June 10 to 14, facing rhino poaching charges.

The incident which saw Landela’s career as a top ranger spiral, took place on July 27, 2016, when he and veterinary sciences employee, Kenneth Motshotsho (52), were arrested after a white rhino had been poached in Kingfisherspruit.

Both horns of the animal had been removed. Rangers patrolling the area had heard three gunshots and started looking for the suspects. A SANParks helicopter which was patrolling nearby was deployed to the scene and was able to track a suspected vehicle.

The vehicle, in which Landela and Motshotsho were found, was stopped when the chopper landed in the road. Landela told Motshotsho to drive to Satara Rest Camp while he stayed behind. A short while later, Motshotsho retuned.

This made the other rangers suspicious and they searched the vehicle, where they found two pairs of bloodied shoes as well as an axe in the back.

Further investigation followed and a hunting rifle, issued to Landela, as well as two rhino horns were discovered in the veld. Both were arrested.

Landela had a distinguished career as a ranger, and it was generally believed he would one day become chief ranger of the world-renowned park. Both Landela and Motshotsho were later found guilty during a disciplinary hearing and were dismissed.

The two appeared in the Skukuza Regional Court last week after a series of postponements in the case, which was partly heard in 2018 by regional Magistrate Dries Lamprecht, who died in March 2018. The trail then had to restart.

Advocate Ansie Venter, who was previously the state prosecutor in the Landela case, told Lowvelder that the case had been handed over to Advocate Lot Mgiba.

By Friday June 14, six state witnesses had testified.

Because the suspects pleaded not guilty and don’t want to make any admissions, specialist witnesses will be called.

They will testify about DNA results as well as fingerprints and handwriting analyses.

The case was postponed to September 30 and the accused’s bail of R20 000 each was extended.