THREE SKUKUZA POACHERS SENTENCED
The Skukuza Regional Court has given significant sentences to three individuals convicted of poaching-related offences. Sam Khosa (33) and Odis Maluleke (49) each received 22 years of direct imprisonment, while Benett Silahle (39) was sentenced to 4 years in prison. The convictions include charges of trespassing, conspiracy to commit an offence, killing a rhinoceros, possession of a firearm, and possession of dangerous weapons. Additionally, Odis Maluleke was sentenced for violating the Immigration Act.
The case dates to 15 February 2019, when a senior ranger received information about Phillip Gumede, a former ranger now working in the park’s gymnasium, allegedly bringing two impostor tourists into the park. Gumede allegedly organised fraudulent permits to allow the tourists access, and once inside, they killed a rhinoceros before returning to the gymnasium to change clothes.
The senior ranger later observed Gumede returning to the gymnasium with Khosa and Maluleke, while Silahle arrived separately to pick them up. Prompted by suspicion, the ranger alerted the police, who searched the vehicles involved. During the search, law enforcement officials found fresh rhino horns, a hunting rifle, knives, and a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
The four individuals were arrested and initially granted bail, but Gumede passed away before the trial commenced, leaving Khosa, Maluleke, and Silahle to face the court. All three pleaded not guilty to the charges. However, State Prosecutor Lot Mgiba presented credible evidence from the senior ranger, including video footage and DNA evidence, which demonstrated that the bullet recovered from the rhinoceros was fired from the firearm found in the accused’s vehicle.
The court considered the individual roles played by the accused during the commission of these offences when determining appropriate sentences. As part of their sentencing, all three were declared unfit to possess firearms.
Poaching poses a severe threat to endangered species and biodiversity and carries lifelong consequences. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) emphasises the critical importance of holding offenders accountable to protect wildlife for future generations.
