The Skukuza Regional Court has today convicted and sentenced Ellias Sithole (42), from Mkhuhlu in Bushbuckridge to 11 years' direct imprisonment for poaching-related offences. Sithole was convicted on multiple charges, including Possession of a firearm, Conspiracy to commit an offence, Possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, Possession of a firearm to commit a crime, Possession of ammunition and Possession of a dangerous weapon. On 23 January 2020, field rangers from the Skukuza Section of SANParks spotted a suspicious vehicle driven by the accused and stopped it. Before the rangers could search the vehicle, two men jumped out of the backseat and fled on foot. Despite the rangers' efforts to pursue them, the two men escaped. The rangers then returned to the vehicle and searched. They discovered a hunting rifle, ammunition, and hunting knives. Sithole was arrested at the scene and subsequently charged. During the trial, Sithole pleaded not guilty. However, State Prosecutor Lot Mgiba led overwhelming evidence, including the accused’s fingerprints retrieved from the firearm, and testimony from the field rangers who apprehended him. The court found the evidence credible and convicted Sithole on all charges. The sentencing is as follows years for possession of a firearm, 4 years for conspiracy to commit an offence, and 6 years for possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number. 4 years for possession of a firearm to commit a crime, 2 years for possession of ammunition, and 1 year for possession of a dangerous weapon.