The Skukuza Regional Court in Mpumalanga sentenced Freedom Ndlovu (32) to 32 years in prison for poaching-related offences.

The court heard that on November 4, 2016, some field rangers from Kruger National Park were patrolling around the Stolznek Section when they came upon three males in the bushes.

They managed to flee.

A helicopter and tracker dog were brought in by the rangers for their search. The three intruders were spotted, and one was captured. The man was found lying on the ground with a hunting rifle. When asked about his fellows, he pointed in the direction in which his accomplices had run. With the help of the tracker dog, the other two were eventually captured as well.

They were found in possession of the following items: one .375 hunting rifle with a silencer, four rounds of ammunition, six rhino horns in backpacks, as well as an axe.

Three rhino carcasses were discovered in the vicinity where the three had been apprehended. Six cartridges were also discovered at the crime scene.

The Skukuza SAPS were informed about the incident and arrested the three men: Freedom Ndlovu (32), Alsony Baloyi (33) and Fanual Ngobe (30). The recovered items were also confiscated for further investigation.

The three suspects were later granted bail during their appearance in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court, however, Nqobe did not return to court, and a warrant for his arrest was issued. He is still sought by the police.

The Skukuza court decided to sentence the three accused separately. Baloyi was sentenced to 23 years’ imprisonment on June 17.

On Tuesday, Ndlovu was sentenced as follows:

• Count one – trespassing in the Kruger National Park: two years
• Count two – hunting of three rhinos: 10 years
• Count three – possession of an unlicensed firearm: 10 years
• Count four – possession of a firearm with the intention to commit a crime: 10 years
• Count five – possession of unlicensed ammunition: five years
• Count six – conspiracy to commit a crime: 10 years
• Count seven – possession of a dangerous weapon: two years.

He was sentenced to a total of 32 years’ imprisonment and was further declared unfit to possess a firearm.