Insiders describe why, and how, rangers sworn to protect wildlife collude with poaching syndicates slaughtering rhinos. Tulani Ngwenya investigates On guard: Former ranger trainer Hendrick Sithembiso carves through dry wood with twin tactical knives, demonstrating 'bushcraft' to students during an advanced training programme in Kruger in 2024. Photo supplied Despite integrity tests and modern surveillance technology, insiders at the Kruger National Park reveal that corruption persists systemically, fuelled by poverty wages, predatory debt cycles, and communal ties binding rogue rangers to syndicates. After months of building trust, Oxpeckers gained exclusive access to information from four people who have witnessed firsthand the dark realities of the illegal connections and how they operate. They described a world where financial pressure, coercion and broken systems converge to push even well-intentioned rangers into the orbit of rhino-poaching syndicates. Melusi (name withheld), a mid-level Kruger manager involved in anti-poaching operations and coordination, chose to remain anonymous because he said exposing corruption in the "broken system" can lead to serious risks. According to him, ranger collusion with rhino poaching syndicates isn't the work of a few bad apples. "It's embedded, and systemic," he said. It’s also driven by desperation: "Rangers earn low salaries. They call us heroes but pay us like traitors." As a result, rangers often take on debts that can turn them into syndicate assets. "They borrow from loan sharks and give up their ID books or ATM cards as collateral. Some sell out just to clear their debts and reclaim their documents."