The hefty 30 year imprisonment sentence handed down to a Mozambican national for his involvement in rhino poaching has been lauded with the court saying it should serve as a deterrent to those who threaten the nation’s natural heritage.

Recently, Silas Mathebula, 38, was sentenced at the Skukuza Regional Court for his role in the illegal killing of three rhinos and related offences in the Kruger National Park in 2019.

The flagship court in the Kruger National Park in South Africa handles rhino poaching cases.

Mathebula was convicted of multiple charges including trespassing, conspiracy to commit a crime, killing three rhinos, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of an unlicensed firearm, possession of a hunting rifle, and possession of ammunition.

National Prosecuting Authority Mpumalanga regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa, said on 23 November 2019, a section ranger patrolled the Malelane Section when he spotted a vehicle carrying five suspicious occupants.

All five suspects were arrested. They were identified as Zwelithini Mathebula, Lucky Mhlongo, Teddy Dlamini, Silas Mathebula, and Forster Lubisi, who was later killed by crocodiles while attempting to escape.

“Mathebula and another accused, Lucky Hlungwane, absconded after being granted bail. However, Mathebula was rearrested while committing a similar offence in the Hluhluwe Game Reserve, KwaZulu-Natal. He was subsequently transferred to Skukuza to stand trial. Meanwhile, the trial against the remaining three accused proceeded, and they were convicted and sentenced by the same court.

"DNA analysis confirming that the rhino horns found in the suspects' vehicle matched the carcasses of three poached rhinos and ballistic evidence proving that bullets recovered from the rhino carcasses were fired from the firearm found in the suspects' possession,” said Nyuswa.

Nyuswa said poaching remains a serious threat to biodiversity and endangered species, with devastating long-term consequences.

The sentencing came after DFFE minister of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment, Dr Dion George recently reported the decline in rhino poaching numbers in continued conservation efforts.

George revealed that in 2024, 420 rhinos were poached in South Africa, a decrease from 2023 when 499 rhinos were poached.

George said: “The hardest-hit province continues to be KwaZulu-Natal, which lost 232 rhinos; however, this is a notable decline from the 325 that were lost in 2023.”

George welcomed the sentence of Mathebula and said the imprisonment “is a clear indication that poaching and wildlife crime will not be tolerated in South Africa, and that those who threaten the nation’s natural heritage will face the full might of the law” and commended the NPA for presenting compelling evidence including DNA analysis linking the seized rhino horns to poached carcasses and ballistic evidence tying the crime to the firearm in the suspects’ possession.

With his praises, George expressed deep concern about the broader scourge of poaching and stressed that the illegal killing of rhinos and other endangered species undermines conservation efforts.

Chief executive at rhino protection organisation, Save the Rhino, Dr Jo Shaw said rhino poaching is not merely the work of opportunistic criminals; it is part of a complex web of illicit networks that span national and continental borders.

“Organised crime remains a serious threat to rhinos, other wildlife and the people who protect and live alongside them. Syndicates continually adapt their tactics and areas of focus, and co-ordination is key to ensure can get ahead. International collaboration and sustained investment into best practise tools, including anti-money laundering investigations, are needed to dismantle the dangerous criminal networks involved,” said Shaw.

chevon.booysen@inl.co.za

wildlife conservation

Court's tough stance on rhino poaching: 30-year sentence for Mozambican poacher