Goodwill Sibongiseni Mathebula (45) was sentenced to an effective 20 years’ direct imprisonment in the Skukuza Regional Court yesterday (May 22), for rhino poaching and related offences committed in the Kruger National Park (KNP), reports Lowvelder.

He was convicted of trespassing in the KNP, killing a rhino, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, unlawful possession of a firearm, unlawful possession of ammunition, possession of a dangerous weapon, conspiracy to commit an offence, and possession of a firearm for the purpose of committing an offence.

On June 14, 2017, rangers conducting patrols in the Stolzneck Section encountered three suspects dressed in camouflage clothing. One of the suspects, who was armed with a firearm, opened fire on the rangers. The rangers returned fire and injured Mathebula, while his two co-accused fled the scene.

While investigating the scene, the rangers recovered a firearm next to Mathebula, as well as a bag containing fresh rhino horns and other weapons. A freshly killed rhino carcass was also discovered nearby. Mathebula was arrested and later granted bail.

During the trial, Mathebula denied the allegations. However, state Prosecutor Lot Mgiba presented evidence including testimonies from the rangers who apprehended him, DNA evidence linking the recovered rhino horns to the carcass, and a ballistic report confirming that the bullet recovered from the carcass had been fired from the firearm found in his possession.

The court imposed the following sentences:

• Two years’ imprisonment for trespassing
• Ten years’ imprisonment for killing a rhino
• Eight years’ imprisonment for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number
• Six years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of a firearm
• Two years’ imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition
• One year’s imprisonment for possession of a dangerous weapon
• Four years’ imprisonment for conspiracy to commit an offence
• Five years’ imprisonment for possession of a firearm for the purpose of committing an offence

The court ordered the sentences on counts 4, 5, 6, and 8 to run concurrently with count 2, while count 7 was ordered to run concurrently with count 3. Mathebula will therefore effectively serve 20 years’ imprisonment.

The court also declared him unfit to possess a firearm.

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