A Mozambican man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for poaching a rhino in the Kruger National Park.
A Mozambican national was sentenced to 18 years behind bars after he was caught poaching a rhino in the Kruger National Park in September last year.
The Skukuza Regional Court convicted and sentenced Santos Baloyi, 31, after he pleaded guilty to killing a rhino, trespassing, violation of Immigration Law, illegal possession of a firearm with a number of erased series and illegal possession of ammunition.
According to the National Prosecutor’s Office, on September 10, 2022, Kruger National Park rangers were on their routine patrol when they heard gunshots near the Afsaal section.
“Baloyi was spotted, with his two unknown accomplices, Baloyi targeted the rangers and they fired in self-defense, while his unknown co-defendant managed to escape,” NPA spokeswoman Monica Nyuswa said.
“Rangers returned to the location where they saw the trio and found two fresh rhino horns and an axe. Baloyi was subsequently arrested.”
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The evidence presented by the State showed that the firearm found in Baloyi’s possession was the same one used to kill the rhino.
The Mpumalanga-based court sentenced Baloyi to 18 years in prison for poaching-related offences.
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