Three poachers were sentenced to a combined 22 years direct imprisonment by the Skukuza Regional Court on 06 December 2023 after being previously caught illegally in possession of a firearm with ammunition inside a rented vehicle at the Kruger National Park in 2017.
The trio pleaded not guilty whilst one of their co-accused, Fanuel Ubisi (41) pleaded guilty. The trio’s case dates back to 29 July 2017 when they were found inside the Kruger National Park driving the said car belonging to a certain car rental. The vehicle was stopped and searched, that is when a hunting rifle and ammunitions as well as some backpacks with food were found.
It was also established that only the driver had a permit to be in the park and his three passengers had trespassed as they did not have permits.
All four were arrested and charged for possession of prohibited firearm with ammunition. The other three had additional charges for trespassing.
It was during the trial which was heard in court when Ubisi pleaded guilty then sentenced on 04 August 2023 to six (06) years imprisonment for possession of prohibited firearm plus two (02) years imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition. The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently.
On the other hand, his three co-accused proceeded with the trial but they were eventually found guilty and sentenced. Norman Thabang Mogale (38) who was the driver got a sentence of six (06) years imprisonment for possession of prohibited firearm as well as two (02) years imprisonment for unlawful possession of ammunition. Both sentences will run concurrently, resulting in six (06) years direct imprisonment for the accused. Meanwhile Sipho Clarence Ngomane (32) and Nkosana Ndlovu (32) were both sentenced to six (06) years imprisonment for possession of prohibited firearm, two (02) years imprisonment for possession of unlawful ammunition and further two (02) years imprisonment for trespassing. The sentence for possession of prohibited firearm as well as for unlawful possession of ammunition will be served concurrently. As a result, both Ngomane and Ndlovu will each serve an effective eight (08) years imprisonment.
The three were also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000 (the Act).
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela welcomed the sentence and commended the Kruger National Park team, the SAPS investigation team, the Prosecution team as well as the Judiciary for their collaborative efforts that led to the successful sentencing of the poachers.
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