Man gets 10 years for rhino poaching-linked crimes in Kruger Park

Staff Reporter

A Mozambican national has been sentenced to 10 years in prison by the Skukuza Regional Court for rhino poaching-related offences after being arrested in the Kruger National Park.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said on Friday that Faro Zitha, 31, pleaded guilty and was convicted on seven counts, including contravention of the Immigration Act, trespassing, possession of a firearm to commit a crime, possession of a firearm with an obliterated serial number, possession of ammunition, possession of a dangerous weapon, and conspiracy to commit an offence.

In June, patrolling rangers encountered Zitha and his “unknown accomplices” in the Houtboschrand section of Kruger, where they allegedly had a hunting rifle and an axe.

Zitha was arrested while the accomplices escaped.

Prosecutors, who successfully opposed bail, told the court that Zitha was a repeat offender and had a previous Kruger trespassing conviction for which he was sentenced to three years’