Three rhino poachers have been sentenced to a whopping 105 years in prison for rhino poaching and other offences by the Skukuza Regional Court prosecuting team.

The sentences were handed down on September 2. The trio was arrested in 2017 after killing three rhinos in Marula (southern) section of the Kruger National Park (KNP).

The SANParks spokesperson, Isaac Phaahla, said two of the convicted poachers, Shangani Mathebula and Emmanuel Mdhluli, are from Mozambique while the other accused, Walter Hendrik Mangane, is a South African.

Phaahla said while the sentences were being handed down, the magistrate explained in detail the manner in which the poachers had killed the rhinos execution style and were caught red-handed while in the process of plundering the animals.

The managing executive of the KNP, Gareth Coleman, congratulated the environmental crime investigative unit and ranger services for working closely with the investigating officer and the other SAPS service units to bring solid evidence before the court.

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