A 33-year-old man has been sentenced to 10 years' direct imprisonment after being convicted on multiple poaching-related charges in the Skukuza Regional Court.

Madala Matsane was arrested in the Kruger National Park in 2020 after rangers apprehended him and two other suspected poachers. The trio was allegedly found in possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, ammunition and other dangerous weapons.

During the court proceedings, it emerged that Matsane also has another pending poaching-related case dating back to 2016.

His two co-accused, who were granted bail following their arrest, have since absconded and remain at large. Authorities continue efforts to locate and arrest them.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) welcomed the conviction and commended the collaborative efforts of Kruger National Park rangers, the South African Police Service (SAPS) and prosecutors for their role in securing the successful prosecution.

The sentence is regarded as another significant step in the ongoing fight against wildlife crime and poaching in the Kruger National Park.