The Skukuza Regional Court sentenced Philip Mfana Masuku (62) to 14 years’ direct imprisonment for poaching-related offences yesterday (Thursday, June 5).
The court convicted Masuku, from Bhekiswayo Trust in KaBokweni, on four counts – trespassing, killing of two rhinos, conspiracy to commit an offence, and possession of a dangerous weapon.
A technical manager in the Pretoriuskop Section of the Kruger National Park (KNP) detected the movements of suspected poachers on February 17, 2019, at around 02:40 in the morning.
Field rangers responded with the aid of sniffer dogs and picked up fresh sets of footprints, revealing that three people had just passed the spot.
The rangers later spotted the three suspects sitting along the Voortrekker road and when the rangers approached them, two of the suspects disappeared into the bushes.
Masuku was apprehended. He was found in possession of compelling evidence that directly implicated him in rhino poaching activities.
“A search of the crime scene led to the discovery of two knives and a bag containing four fresh rhino horns,” explained NPA regional spokesperson, Monica Nyuswa.
She said the incident was reported to the Skukuza Police Station where Masuku was accordingly charged.
Masuku made his first court appearance in the Mapulaneng Magistrate’s Court where he was granted bail after several appearances.
The case was later transferred to the Skukuza Regional Court.
“For reasons best known to him, the accused stopped attending court which resulted in a warrant of arrest being issued against him. He was rearrested in 2023 following a tracing operation,” said Nyuswa.
Masuku attempted to apply for bail again, but it was denied after it came to light that he had presented a fake medical certificate to explain his failure to attend court.
Police investigations revealed that the medical certificate that he presented before the court was fraudulent.
Masuku pleaded not guilty during the court proceedings and maintained his innocence throughout the trial.
The state prosecutor, Lot Mgiba, led compelling evidence against Masuku that included the testimony from the rangers who arrested him.
“The DNA analysis confirmed that the blood on the accused’s clothing matched that of the poached rhinos. The court imposed the following sentences – three years for trespassing, 10 years for killing two rhinos, four years for conspiracy to commit an offence, and one year for possession of a dangerous weapon,” Nyuswa explained.
The court ordered that the sentences for counts one (trespassing) and four (possession of a dangerous weapon) run concurrently with the sentence for count two (killing of two rhinos), resulting in an effective sentence of 14 years’ direct imprisonment.
Masuku was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.
“Poaching remains a serious threat to South Africa’s biodiversity and endangered species, with devastating long-term impacts. The NPA welcomes the sentence and reiterates its commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting the country’s natural heritage for future generations,” said Nyuswa.
“The 14-year sentence sends a strong signal that a crime against South Africa’s protected species will not go unpunished. Despite absconding after being granted bail, the accused was tracked down, re-arrested, and successfully prosecuted, demonstrating the NPA’s unwavering commitment to holding poachers accountable, and the effectiveness of the justice system in ensuring that no offender escapes justice, no matter how long it takes,” added Nyuswa.
Meanwhile, the Mpumalanga acting provincial police commissioner, Major General Dr Zeph Mkhwanazi, has also welcomed the sentencing of Masuku.
“The general has appreciated the investigation team, the field rangers, prosecutors, as well as the judiciary, for playing their role in making sure that the poacher was put behind bars for many years, because this will make other would-be poachers think twice before committing an offence,” said Mpumalanga police spokesperson, Brigadier Donald Mdhluli.
He said the hunt for the other two suspects who escaped when Masuku was arrested was still ongoing.
