SKUKUZA POACHER SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS' DIRECT IMPRISONMENT

30 May 2025

SKUKUZA POACHER SENTENCED TO TEN YEARS' DIRECT IMPRISONMENT

The Skukuza Regional Court has today sentenced Cornelius Collen Mofokeng (41), from Bhuga in Kabokweni, to ten years' direct imprisonment for poaching-related offences. Mofokeng was convicted on seven counts, namely: Trespassing, Possession of a firearm to commit a crime, Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number,, Possession of a firearm, Possession of ammunition, Possession of a dangerous weapon and Conspiracy to commit an offence

The conviction stems from a 30 June 2016 incident when rangers in the Stolzneck Section of the Kruger National Park detected footprints of three individuals and tracked them down. They apprehended Sizwe Mduduzi Mathebula, Cornelius Collen Mofokeng, and Surprise Mashele in possession of a hunting rifle, ammunition, and dangerous weapons.

All three suspects were granted bail. Mathebula later pleaded guilty and was sentenced, resulting in the separation of trials. Mofokeng and Mashele absconded, prompting the court to issue warrants for their arrest. Mofokeng was re-arrested in 2022, while Mashele remains at large.

Although Mofokeng initially pleaded not guilty, he later changed his plea to guilty. State Prosecutor Lot Mgiba led evidence from rangers and a police officer who confirmed Mofokeng’s fingerprints were found on the firearm.

The court sentenced the accused as follows:1 year for trespassing,4 years for possession of a firearm to commit a crime,6 years for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number,5 years for possession of a firearm,2 years for possession of ammunition,1 year for possession of a dangerous weapon and 4 years for conspiracy to commit an offence.

The court ordered that the sentence on count 1 run concurrently with count 7, and counts 2, 4, 5, and 6 run concurrently with count 3. This results in an effective sentence of ten years' direct imprisonment. The accused was also declared unfit to possess a firearm.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes this sentence and reaffirms its commitment to holding offenders accountable and protecting Africa’s precious wildlife for future generations.

Issued by:

Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions – Mpumalanga
📞 013 045 0625 / 076 485 5446
📧 mnyuswa@npa.gov.za