By Kabelo Abel Mokgalabone
SKUKUZA – A 41-year-old rhino poacher, Nelson Sambo from Mozambique, has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment by the Skukuza Regional Court on Thursday, 24 April 2025, for illegal rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park.
The court heard that on 2 December 2020, Sambo and his accomplice, Gabriel (49), illegally entered the Kruger National Park through the Stolznek Section.
Field rangers patrolling the area heard two gunshots and immediately alerted the Skukuza operations team. Assistance was dispatched from Skukuza Airport, including a helicopter and dog handlers.
The team successfully tracked and cornered two men found in possession of two sets of rhino horns, a hunting rifle, twenty rounds of ammunition, and three knives.
The suspects initially appeared in the Bushbuckridge District Court, where they were granted bail. However, after a few court appearances, both absconded.
Warrants of arrest were issued. Nelson Sambo was later re-arrested by Skukuza members, with assistance from a Skukuza ECI member. Gabriel remains at large, believed to have fled to Mozambique.
Sambo was convicted on seven charges:
- Count 1: Trespassing in the National Park — 3 years’ imprisonment
- Count 2: Contravention of the Immigration Act — 10 years’ imprisonment
- Count 3: Illegal hunting of rhinoceros — 10 years’ imprisonment
- Count 4: Possession of an unlicensed firearm — 4 years’ imprisonment
- Count 5: Conspiracy to commit a crime — 5 years’ imprisonment
- Count 6: Possession of unlicensed ammunition — 2 years’ imprisonment
- Count 7: Possession of a dangerous weapon — 1 year imprisonment
The court ruled that the sentences for Counts 1 and 2 will run concurrently, as will the sentences for Counts 4, 5, 6, and 7 alongside Count 3.
As a result, Sambo will serve an effective 20 years behind bars. He has also been declared unfit to possess a firearm.
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