The Skukuza Regional Court sentenced Sydney Silver Zitha (42) to 19 years’ direct imprisonment for poaching-related offences on Friday June 14.
The National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, said the accused was found guilty of trespassing the Kruger National Park (KNP), possession of a firearm as well as ammunition, conspiracy to commit an offence and possession of dangerous weapon.
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“On August 8, 2018, rangers were patrolling the Manyeleti section in the KNP when they found Zitha and an unknown suspect in possession of a firearm and an axe. The unknown suspect pointed the firearm at the rangers and they fatally shot him in self-defence. Zitha was apprehended but absconded after he was granted bail. While the warrant of arrest was issued against him, he was rearrested after committing a similar offence in September 2018, when he shot and killed a rhino in the Tshokwane section of the park.”
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At the sentencing, the state, represented by Prosecutor Lot Mgiba, provided lead evidence of a ballistic report as well as statements from rangers who apprehended Zitha. He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.