Mozambican rhino poacher sentenced to 21 years' imprisonment

A rhino poacher has more than two decades to reflect on the havoc he wreaked on South Africa's endangered species after the Skukuza regional court handed him a hefty sentence this week. 

Field rangers came across Santos Baloyi, 34, and two accomplices in the Kruger National Park’s Afsaal section, near Malelane, in September 2022. Mpumalanga police spokesperson Brig Selvy Mohlala said the “field rangers' attention was drawn by the sound of a gunshot very close to where they were patrolling”.

“When they went to investigate, they spotted the convict and his two accomplices. The field rangers ordered them to stop, but instead, one of the trio decided to point a firearm in the direction of the two field rangers.