A 28-year-old man convicted of killing two rhinos in the Kruger National Park has been sentenced to 16 years’ direct imprisonment, marking a significant outcome in South Africa’s continued fight against wildlife poaching.
Bethuel Baloyi was sentenced on Friday by the Skukuza Regional Court after being found guilty on multiple charges stemming from a 2020 poaching incident in one of the country’s most protected conservation areas.
The charges included trespassing in a national park, the unlawful killing of two rhinos, possession of an unlicensed firearm and ammunition, conspiracy to commit a crime, and carrying a dangerous weapon.
Armed encounter with rangers
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, the incident occurred on 28 March 2020 when rangers on patrol in the Pretoriuskop section of the Kruger National Park encountered Baloyi and two accomplices.
The group was allegedly armed with rifles and other weapons. The two accomplices were identified as Million Masilane and Andries Baloyi, a Mozambican national.
When rangers attempted to arrest the suspects, Andries Baloyi allegedly pointed a firearm at them. Rangers returned fire, fatally wounding him. The remaining suspects were arrested at the scene.
Evidence linked suspects to rhino killings
During the arrest, rangers recovered a rifle with an obliterated serial number and live ammunition. A subsequent search of the surrounding area led to the discovery of two freshly killed rhinos, confirming the seriousness of the operation.
Forensic analysis later revealed that bloodstains found on Bethuel Baloyi’s clothing matched rhino blood, strengthening the state’s case.
Despite pleading not guilty, the court ruled that the evidence presented by the prosecution was compelling and left little room for doubt.
Lengthy sentence and firearm ban
Baloyi was sentenced to 10 years for killing the two rhinos, with additional prison terms imposed for firearm-related offences and other charges. Some of the sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective prison term of 16 years.
The court also declared Baloyi unfit to possess a firearm.
His co-accused, Million Masilane, was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment in 2023.
Fugitive arrest and pending charges
During the trial, Baloyi absconded but was later re-arrested at the Hluhluwe Game Reserve in KwaZulu-Natal in connection with a separate alleged poaching incident. That case is still pending before the courts.
The NPA welcomed the sentencing, stating that it sends a clear message to those involved in wildlife crime.
Nyuswa said poaching remains a serious threat to South Africa’s endangered species and natural heritage, despite ongoing efforts by conservation authorities and law enforcement.
Ongoing pressure on conservation areas
Rhino poaching continues to place immense pressure on national parks, particularly the Kruger National Park, which remains a primary target for organised wildlife crime syndicates.
While convictions such as this offer some reassurance, authorities have repeatedly stressed that sustained vigilance, prosecution, and regional cooperation are essential to protecting South Africa’s remaining rhino population.
