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- A former field ranger has been sentenced to 10 years in jail.
- The ranger was arrested for killing a rhino in the Kruger National Park three years ago.
- The court found the ranger guilty of carrying out a restricted activity involving a threatened or protected species in a national park.
A former field ranger, tasked with protecting wildlife, has been sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment for killing a rhino in the Nwanetsi section of the Kruger National Park in 2020.
Eckson Musa Matumbu was sentenced at the Skukuza Regional Court on Friday.
According to the South African National Parks (SANParks), Matumbu was arrested in February 2020 for killing a rhino with an official firearm issued to him and using non-issued ammunition.
He was initially granted bail, which was later cancelled; the case was remanded to October 2023 for conviction and sentencing.
The court found Matumbu guilty of carrying out a restricted activity involving a threatened or protected species in a national park.
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He was also declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of Section 103 of Act 60 of 2000.
"We are pleased with the sentence as it demonstrates that the law is not selective and deals with everybody who is involved in criminal activities," said Oscar Mthimkhulu, Managing Executive of the Kruger National Park.
"I hope our colleagues will learn from this case, that regardless of your position, the law will catch up with you."
"We also appreciate the Skukuza Regional Court for the continued convictions and sentences without fail," Mthimkhulu added.
