COURT GRANTS CONFISCATION ORDER AGAINST CONVICTED FORMER FIELD RANGERS

06 June 2025

COURT GRANTS CONFISCATION ORDER AGAINST CONVICTED FORMER FIELD RANGERS

Skukuza – On 5 June 2025, the Skukuza Regional Court granted a confiscation order in favour of the National Prosecuting Authority’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) in Mpumalanga against two convicted former field rangers, Lucky Mkanzi and Nzima Joel Sihlangu. The order compels them to pay an amount of R836,600, plus 11% interest accruing from 1 February 2019, the date of the poaching of two rhinos.

The court further directed that R41,820, currently held in the SAPS ABSA Suspense bank account, be paid over to SANParks to support anti-rhino poaching efforts. Mkanzi and Sihlangu were each sentenced to 20 years of direct imprisonment for offences committed between 25–30 December 2018 in the Skukuza section of the Kruger National Park. At the time of the offences, both were on day shift and had no authorisation to work during the night.

The prosecution presented evidence showing that the vehicle used in the poaching incident was stationary at the location where the rhinos were killed. Their supervisor testified that neither of the accused had permission to be on night duty. A tracking expert confirmed the movements of the vehicle, placing them at the crime scene, and a police officer testified about a raid on Sihlangu’s residence, where cash from the sale of rhino horns was found. Both accused were convicted of conspiracy to commit an offence and the illegal killing of two rhinos.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit plays a vital role in ensuring that criminals do not benefit from their unlawful actions. Through the AFU, the NPA continues to reinforce accountability, uphold the rule of law, and demonstrate that crime has serious financial and legal consequences.

For media enquiries, please contact:

Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson – DPP Mpumalanga
Tel: 013 045 0625
Cell: 076 485 5446
Email: mnyuswa@npa.gov.za