SKUKUZA POACHER SENTENCED TO 30 YEARS IMPRISONMENT
The Skukuza Regional Court has today sentenced Sydney Sibuyi (40) to thirty years direct imprisonment for poaching related offences. Sibuyi pleaded guilty to the crime and was subsequently convicted of trespassing in Skukuza National Park, three counts of killing three rhino’s and conspiracy to commit an offence.
On 12 July 2020, rangers of Skukuza National Park got information about three suspected poachers. They followed the lead and found Sibuyi in possession of five fresh rhino horns. They continued the search and found three rhino carcasses in the vicinity. This led to Sibuyi’s arrest and when observing him it transpired that the T- Shirt he was wearing had blood stains which was taken for DNA analysis. In court the accused pleaded guilty to all counts.
In aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Lot Mgiba presented DNA results which confirmed that the blood stains found on the accused’s T-shirt matched the carcass on the crime scene.
Sibuyi was sentenced to thirty years direct imprisonment. The court further declared the accused unfit to possess a firearm.
The NPA is pleased with the sentence. Rhino poaching endangers not only the population of targeted animals but also other animals in their ecosystem.
