ActionSA once again reaffirms its urgent call for the protection and continued operation of the Skukuza Regional Court, a critical institution in the fight against wildlife crime in South Africa. This follows two significant recent developments that highlight both the court’s importance and the dangers facing our conservation justice system.
Firstly, as reported in The Citizen on 06 June 2025, the Skukuza Regional Court handed down a 14-year sentence to a convicted poacher who killed two rhinos inside the Kruger National Park. This successful prosecution reflects the court’s capacity to deliver firm, focused justice against sophisticated poaching syndicates that threaten South Africa’s natural heritage. This sentence sends a clear message to those who seek to profit from the destruction of our biodiversity that the law will not relent.
Secondly, a Daily Maverick investigative exposé has revealed troubling evidence of collusion between some Kruger National Park rangers and poaching networks. The article paints a chilling picture of how internal corruption is undermining conservation efforts, with rogue employees allegedly aiding poachers with information and resources. These revelations are deeply disturbing and reinforce the urgency of maintaining strong, independent judicial institutions capable of holding all parties accountable, regardless of their position or affiliations.
Against this backdrop, ActionSA reiterates the contents of its prior submissions to both the Mpumalanga Premier and the Judge President of the Mpumalanga Division. In our communication dated 16 April 2025, we urged Premier Mandla Ndlovu to engage urgently with the Department of Justice and relevant stakeholders to affirm support for the Skukuza Regional Court, issue a clear public commitment to its protection, and ensure cross-departmental cooperation to prevent political or administrative interference.
Following the Premier’s failure to respond, we escalated the matter on 12 May 2025 by writing to Judge President Segopotje Sheila Mphahlele to request judicial oversight and reaffirmation of the court’s independence. Our concerns are not hypothetical. Previous attempts to relocate the court, and the silence of political leaders in the face of these efforts, raise serious red flags about the stability and future of this vital institution.
The Skukuza Regional Court is not merely a courtroom within a park. It is the frontline of South Africa’s legal fight against the illegal wildlife trade and environmental destruction. Its strategic location, access to environmental crime expertise, and proven track record make it uniquely equipped to uphold justice in conservation matters. Undermining this court, whether through administrative relocation or political pressure, would be a blow to the rule of law and a gift to criminal syndicates.
ActionSA remains resolute in defending institutions that serve the public good, the environment, and future generations. We continue to urge all justice system stakeholders and government leaders to act decisively in safeguarding the Skukuza Regional Court. Conservation justice cannot afford silence or complacency. It requires action.
ActionSA Reaffirms Call to Protect Skukuza Regional Court as Poaching Threats Persist
ActionSA once again reaffirms its urgent call for the protection and continued operation of the Skukuza Regional Court, a critical institution in the fight against wildlife crime in South Africa. This follows two significant recent developments that highlight both the court’s importance and the dangers facing our conservation justice system.
Firstly, as reported in The Citizen on 06 June 2025, the Skukuza Regional Court handed down a 14-year sentence to a convicted poacher who killed two rhinos inside the Kruger National Park. This successful prosecution reflects the court’s capacity to deliver firm, focused justice against sophisticated poaching syndicates that threaten South Africa’s natural heritage. This sentence sends a clear message to those who seek to profit from the destruction of our biodiversity that the law will not relent.
Secondly, a Daily Maverick investigative exposé has revealed troubling evidence of collusion between some Kruger National Park rangers and poaching networks. The article paints a chilling picture of how internal corruption is undermining conservation efforts, with rogue employees allegedly aiding poachers with information and resources. These revelations are deeply disturbing and reinforce the urgency of maintaining strong, independent judicial institutions capable of holding all parties accountable, regardless of their position or affiliations.
Against this backdrop, ActionSA reiterates the contents of its prior submissions to both the Mpumalanga Premier and the Judge President of the Mpumalanga Division. In our communication dated 16 April 2025, we urged Premier Mandla Ndlovu to engage urgently with the Department of Justice and relevant stakeholders to affirm support for the Skukuza Regional Court, issue a clear public commitment to its protection, and ensure cross-departmental cooperation to prevent political or administrative interference.
Following the Premier’s failure to respond, we escalated the matter on 12 May 2025 by writing to Judge President Segopotje Sheila Mphahlele to request judicial oversight and reaffirmation of the court’s independence. Our concerns are not hypothetical. Previous attempts to relocate the court, and the silence of political leaders in the face of these efforts, raise serious red flags about the stability and future of this vital institution.
The Skukuza Regional Court is not merely a courtroom within a park. It is the frontline of South Africa’s legal fight against the illegal wildlife trade and environmental destruction. Its strategic location, access to environmental crime expertise, and proven track record make it uniquely equipped to uphold justice in conservation matters. Undermining this court, whether through administrative relocation or political pressure, would be a blow to the rule of law and a gift to criminal syndicates.
ActionSA remains resolute in defending institutions that serve the public good, the environment, and future generations. We continue to urge all justice system stakeholders and government leaders to act decisively in safeguarding the Skukuza Regional Court. Conservation justice cannot afford silence or complacency. It requires action.