20 years in prison for Kruger National Park poacher
The accused was in a possession of a fresh rhino horn, and despite pleading not guilty the evidence was sufficient enough to convict him.
The Skukuza Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Terrence Patrick Makhubela to 20 years of direct imprisonment for poaching-related offences.
Makhubela was sentenced yesterday after he was convicted of trespassing in the park, killing a rhino, possession of a firearm, possession of a dangerous weapon, and possession of ammunition.
According to the spokesperson of the NPA, Monica Nyuswa, on December 3, 2023, rangers of the Pretoriuskop section in Kruger National Park detected the movement of poachers and went to investigate. They caught Makhubela, but three other suspects managed to escape.
“The rangers searched Makhubela and found six live rounds of ammunition in his possession. They searched the immediate area and found a rifle, a bag with fresh rhino horn and an axe. They also discovered a fresh rhino carcass. He was arrested, granted bail and absconded. He was re-arrested after a warrant of arrest was issued,” she explains.
Nyuswa says Makhubela pleaded not guilty, but the state prosecutor, Lot Mgiba, led evidence of the rangers. DNA evidence confirmed the rhino horn found on the crime scene belonged to the fresh rhino carcass. This was supported by the evidence of the ballistic report which showed the bullet that was found in the carcass was fired from the rifle that was in his possession.
The court found him guilty as charged and he was sentenced.
The court further declared Makhubela unfit to possess a firearm in terms of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
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