South African National Parks (SANParks) has expressed their satisfaction with the sentencing of Elias Sithole, a poacher who was found guilty of several crimes related to poaching activities in the famous Kruger National Park.
Last week, Sithole was sentenced to 11 years in prison after being convicted of six serious charges.
The Operation That Led to His Capture
The investigation began on January 23, 2020, when the Kruger and Phabeni Gates Dog Handlers noticed a suspicious vehicle traveling on a gravel road between Skukuza and Pretoriuskop.
They flagged the vehicle to stop, but instead of complying, the driver attempted to flee.
A short chase followed, and the vehicle eventually came to a halt.
Two men exited the vehicle and ran off into the bush, leaving the driver behind.
Upon inspecting the vehicle, authorities found a hunting rifle lying on the back seat.
The driver tried to claim that the two men who fled had attempted to hijack him, but his story didn’t hold up.
A Coordinated Effort to Secure the Scene
Additional response units, including Rangers, Environmental Investigation Unit, Protection Services, SAPS Skukuza, and Local Criminal Record Centre, quickly arrived at the scene to assist the Dog Handlers.
They recovered a hunting rifle, ammunition, and two knives from the vehicle, further solidifying the suspicion that the driver was involved in illegal poaching activities.
Sithole’s Conviction and Sentencing
After a thorough investigation and trial, Sithole was found guilty of six counts, including the possession of unlicensed firearms, conspiracy to commit a crime, and possession of dangerous weapons.
His sentencing includes 11 years in prison, with some sentences running concurrently.
The charges Sithole was convicted of include:
- Count 1: Possession of an unlicensed firearm (Contravention of Section 3, Act 60/2000)
- Count 2: Conspiracy to commit a crime (Contravention of Section 18 (2)(a), Act 17/1957)
- Count 3: Possession of a prohibited firearm (serial number obliterated) (Contravention of Section 4 (1)(iv), Act 60/2000)
- Count 4: Possession of a firearm with intent to commit a crime (Contravention of Section 120 (10)(b), Act 60/2000)
- Count 5: Possession of unlicensed ammunition (Contravention of Section 90, Act 60/2000)
- Count 6: Possession of dangerous weapons (knives) (Contravention of Section 3(1), Act 15/201)
The sentences for counts 1 and 4 will run concurrently with count 3, meaning Sithole will serve an effective 11-year prison sentence.