Mozambican rhino poacher sentenced to 20 years imprisonment
25/04/2025
NELSPRUIT - The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, welcomes the sentencing of Nelson Sambo (41), a Rhino Poacher from Mozambique. On Thursday, 24 April 2025, Sambo was sentenced by the Skukuza Regional Court to 20 years imprisonment for rhino poaching in the Kruger National Park.
The court heard how on 02 December 2020, Sambo and Gabriel (49) somehow entered the Kruger National Park through the Stolznek Section. The Field Rangers deployed in the field on that day, heard two gunshots within the Section of Stolznek.
The incident was then immediately reported, and an assistance was sought from Skukuza Airport and a chopper was immediately dispatched as well dog handlers to assist.
The team tracked and cornered two males that were found in possession of two sets of rhino horns, a hunting rifle, twenty rounds of ammunition, as well as three knives.
The suspects initially appeared in the Bushbuckridge District Court, where they were both granted bail. After a few court appearances, both absconded. Warrants of arrest were issued for both suspects, although Nelson Sambo was later re-arrested by Skukuza members, with the assistance of Skukuza ECI dedicated member, whilst Gabriel fled, probably to Mozambique and he has not yet located.
Sambo was taken to court and was convicted on seven charges:
Count 1- Trespassing in the National Park, the accused was sentenced to 3 years imprisonment.
Count 2 - Contravention of the Immigration Act of South Africa, the accused was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Count 3- Illegal Hunting of Rhinoceros, the accused was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment.
Count 4 - Possession of an Unlicenced Firearm, the accused was sentenced to 04 years imprisonment.
Count 5 - Conspiracy to Commit a Crime 05 years imprisonment for
Count 6 - Possession of unlicenced ammunition, the accused was sentenced to 02 years imprisonment.
Count 7- Possession of a dangerous weapon, the accused was sentenced to one (01) year imprisonment.
The court ordered that the sentences in Count 1 will run concurrently with Count 2.
The sentence in Count 4, 5, 6 and 7, will run concurrently with the sentence in Count 3.
Sambo will therefore spend 20 years behind bars. Furthermore, he was declared unfit to possess a firearm.
The Acting Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Major General (Dr) Zeph Mkhwanazi, further applauded team work displayed by the Investigation team, the Field Rangers from SanParks, the Prosecution team, and the Judiciary. The General also emphasised that the sentence should serve as a deterrence to others who might consider emulating the actions of the accused.
