TWO FORMER FIELD RANGERS SENTENCED FOR RHINO POACHING-RELATED OFFENCES
12 September 2025
TWO FORMER FIELD RANGERS SENTENCED FOR RHINO POACHING-RELATED OFFENCES
Skukuza, Mpumalanga – The Skukuza Regional Court has sentenced two former field rangers, Freedom Mabilane (39) and Tshifiwa Ramunashi (49), to 14 years’ direct imprisonment each for rhino poaching-related offences. They were convicted on charges of conspiracy to commit a crime and the killing of a rhino.
On 3 May 2018, the accused were deployed to patrol the Houtboschrand section of the Kruger National Park when tourists reported hearing gunshots. When questioned, the accused falsely claimed that they had fired at an elephant that was attacking them. Management requested GPS coordinates of the shooting, which led to an investigation.
A rhino carcass and cartridge cases were later discovered three kilometres away from where the accused claimed the incident occurred. The accused were arrested and released on bail under strict conditions. In court, they pleaded not guilty and denied involvement. However, State Prosecutor Lot Mgiba presented overwhelming evidence, including Testimony from senior rangers who investigated the incident ,GPS data placing the accused at the crime scene, Ballistics evidence linking cartridge cases to the accused’s firearm and DNA evidence on the accused’s clothing matching the rhino carcass. The court dismissed the accused’s version of events and accepted the state’s case. Each accused received 4 years’ direct imprisonment for conspiracy to commit a crime, and 10 years’ imprisonment for killing a rhino. The court also declared both accused unfit to possess firearms.
The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomes the sentence, which reaffirms its commitment to holding poachers accountable and demonstrates the effectiveness of the justice system in ensuring that no offender escapes justice. Ends
Issued by:
Monica Nyuswa
NPA Regional Spokesperson
DPP Mpumalanga
Tel: 013 045 0625
Cell: 076 485 5446
Email: mnyuswa@npa.gov.za