A man has been sentenced to 30 years behind bars for rhino poaching by the Skukuza Regional Court in Mpumalanga. Sydney Sibuyi (40) to thirty years direct imprisonment for poaching related offences. 

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson in Mpumalanga Monica Nyuswa said that on 12 July 2020, rangers of Skukuza National Park got information about three suspected poachers. "They followed the lead and found Sibuyi in possession of five fresh rhino horns. They continued the search and found three rhino carcasses in the vicinity. This led to Sibuyi's arrest and when observing him it transpired that the t-shirt he was wearing had blood stains which was taken for DNA analysis," she said. Sibuyi pleaded guilty to the crime and was subsequently convicted of trespassing in Skukuza National Park, three counts of killing three rhino's and conspiracy to commit an offence.

Nyuswa further said that in aggravation of sentence, prosecutor Lot Mgiba presented DNA results which confirmed that the blood stains found on the accused's t-shirt matched the carcass on the crime scene. Sibuyi was sentenced to thirty years of direct imprisonment. The court further declared the accused is unfit to possess a firearm. Kruger Nationa Park Managing Executive Oscar Mthimkhulu said they were happy at the heavy sentence imposed by the court and hope it will send a strong message that wildlife crime is a serious matter and has lifelong consequences for those who are caught. "Our mandate is to conserve and preserve these magnificent creatures for future generations and for people to mercilessly slaughter three at a go, indicates how callous these criminals are, and they deserve these heavy sentences. Our enhanced security measures, dedicated rangers and police will ensure that people pay the price when they get caught inside KNP," Mthimkhulu. said.