The Skukuza Regional Court in Mpumalanga has sentenced a 43-year-old rhino poacher to 10 years. Lucky Mabunda is already serving an 18-year prison sentence for a rhino poaching offence. The court sentenced him to another 10 years after pleading guilty to the shooting and killing of a rhinoceros at the Malelane Section of Kruger National Park in February 2019.
SANParks spokesperson, Ike Phaahla, says they welcome the sentence.
“We are elated at the sentencing, which is in addition to the 18 years he has already served since he was found inside the park. In this instance, a projectile was discovered next to the carcass and taken for ballistics. They came back pointing towards the accused, and he was requisitioned from the Department of Correctional Services to get an additional 10-year sentence. It’s a well-known fact that we still have people who, around this time, want to come in, but we want to warn them that Kruger National Park is a dangerous place to come.”
