Poacher gets 10 years in jail after armed Kruger National Park confrontation - IOL

Convicted poacher, 42, has been sentenced to 10 years’ direct imprisonment for seven offences committed in the Kruger National Park.

A 42-year-old Mozambican national has been sentenced to an effective 10 years’ direct imprisonment after pleading guilty to seven offences linked to a poaching operation in the Kruger National Park.

Raphael Ngobeni was convicted of trespassing, contravening the Immigration Act, conspiracy to commit an offence, possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm for the purpose of committing a crime, possession of ammunition and possession of a dangerous weapon.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the sentence underscored the seriousness with which authorities viewed crimes committed in protected areas.

“The NPA regards wildlife crime and rhino poaching as serious offences that threaten South Africa’s natural heritage, undermine conservation efforts and fuel transnational organised crime,” Nyuswa said.

The case stems from an incident on April 1 2026, when the Kruger National Park’s technical surveillance team detected suspicious movement by suspected poachers in the Houtboschrand area.

Rangers were dispatched to investigate and encountered two suspects who were allegedly in possession of a hunting rifle.

Ngobeni was shot in the leg during the confrontation and arrested at the scene.

His alleged accomplice, Patrick Hlungwane, also a Mozambican national, escaped and remains at large.

Ngobeni was denied bail and remained behind bars from April until the conclusion of the case.

When the matter went to trial, Ngobeni pleaded guilty to all seven charges and was convicted.

State prosecutor Lot Mgiba presented evidence from Department of Home Affairs officials confirming that Ngobeni was unlawfully in South Africa.

Ballistic evidence presented in court also confirmed that the firearm recovered during the incident was a hunting rifle.

Ngobeni received two years for trespassing, one year for contravening the Immigration Act, four years for conspiracy to commit an offence and six years for possession of a firearm.

He was further sentenced to four years for possessing a firearm for the purpose of committing a crime, two years for possession of ammunition and one year for possession of a dangerous weapon.

The court ordered several of the sentences to run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 10 years’ direct imprisonment.

Ngobeni was also declared unfit to possess a firearm under the Firearms Control Act.

The NPA welcomed the custodial sentence, saying it remained committed to protecting the country’s biodiversity and holding offenders accountable for crimes in protected areas.

“This successful prosecution and the custodial sentence send a clear message that those who enter protected areas to commit environmental crimes will face the full might of the law,” Nyuswa said.

She said the prosecuting authority would continue working with law enforcement and conservation authorities to combat poaching.

“The NPA remains committed to working with law enforcement agencies and conservation authorities to combat poaching and protect the country’s biodiversity for future generations,” Nyuswa said.