The Skukuza Regional Court sentenced Mbongeni Selephi Ngobeni (28) to 17 years’ direct imprisonment on March 14 for poaching-related offences.
On June 1, 2016, rangers of Pretoriuskop on patrol in the Kruger National Park discovered a freshly killed rhino with its horns removed.
Following the tracks, they encountered three suspects, including Ngobeni. One of them ran into a dam and was fatally attacked by crocodiles, while another managed to escape.
The rangers apprehended Ngobeni at the scene, where they also discovered a hunting rifle, ammunition, an axe, and fresh rhino horns.
Ngobeni was granted bail on March 9, 2019, but failed to appear for trial, leading to a warrant for his rearrest. He was apprehended on December 22, 2023.
During the trial, the state presented DNA evidence linking the recovered horns to the carcase and showed that the bullet found in the carcase matched the rifle in Ngobeni’s possession. He was convicted of trespassing, rhino hunting, conspiracy and firearm-related offences.
Ngobeni received a 17-year sentence, broken down as follows:
• 10 years for rhino hunting
• Five years for firearm possession
• Two years for trespassing
• Four years for possessing a firearm with criminal intent
• Four years for conspiracy
• Two years for possessing unlicensed ammunition
• One year for possessing a dangerous weapon.
The court ordered some sentences to run concurrently and declared Ngobeni unfit to possess a firearm.
Also read: Lowveld’s extreme heat the cause of snakes being driven out into the open
The Mpumalanga National Prosecuting Authority’s spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, highlighted the significance of such sentences in combating rhino poaching, while SANParks welcomed the court’s decision.
