SKUKUZA – Moshe Thobela, a 33-year-old man, was convicted and sentenced by the Skukuza Specialised Court for possessing rhino horns, marking a significant victory in the fight against wildlife trafficking.

According to South Africa Police Service, The court proceedings, which concluded on Friday, July 12, 2024, stem from a series of investigations and operations by a multidisciplinary team including Nelspruit and Middelburg based Serious Organised Crime Investigation units, Wildlife Trafficking and Counter CI Head Offices, KNP Rangers, and Prosecutor Adv M Mashuga from Pretoria DPP. These efforts are part of Project Broadbill, focused on addressing rhino trafficking activities.

Thobela, apprehended during Operation Billfish on June 12, 2018, in Hazyview and Witbank, was sentenced to either pay R150,000 or face three years imprisonment and was further declared unfit to possess a firearm. Major General Gerber, the Provincial Head, praised the team's work and encouraged public cooperation in reporting wildlife crimes. "The public must blow the whistle on these heartless criminals who pillage our natural wildlife," Gerber stated.