The Skukuza Regional Court has convicted and sentenced Ellias Sithole (42), 11 years’ direct imprisonment for poaching-related offences.
According to the spokesperson for provincial National Prosecuting Authority Monica Nyuswa,
Sithole from Mkhuhlu in Bushbuckridge to was convicted on multiple charges, including Possession of a firearm, Conspiracy to commit an offence, of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, of a firearm to commit a crime, of ammunition and of a dangerous weapon.
“On January 23, field rangers from the Skukuza Section of SANParks spotted a suspicious vehicle driven by the accused and stopped it. Before the rangers could search the vehicle, two men jumped out of the backseat and fled on foot. Despite the rangers’ efforts to pursue them, the two men escaped. The rangers then returned to the vehicle and searched. They discovered a hunting rifle, ammunition, and hunting knives. Sithole was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged,” she said.
Nyuswa said during the trial, Sithole pleaded not guilty. However, State Prosecutor Lot Mgiba led vast evidence, including the accused’s fingerprints retrieved from the firearm, and testimony from the field rangers who arrested him. The court found the evidence credible and convicted Sithole on all charges.
The sentencing is as follows years for possession of a firearm.
Four years for conspiracy to commit an offence
Six years for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number.
Four years for possession of a firearm to commit a crime
Two years for possession of ammunition
One year for possession of a dangerous weapon
The court ordered that some sentences run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 11 years’ direct imprisonment. Furthermore, the court declared Sithole unfit to possess a firearm under Section 103 of the Firearms Control Act 60 of 2000.
The National Prosecuting Authority welcomes the sentence and reaffirms its commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting South Africa’s wildlife for future generations. Poaching remains a serious threat to biodiversity and endangered species, with devastating long-term consequences.
