The fight against rhino poaching was once more bolstered by the conviction and sentencing of a rhino poacher in the Nelspruit Regional Court. The accused, Abel Mashabane was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment on Friday, 24 May 2013, on charges of poaching and trespassing.

The accused had been apprehended by the Special Forces at the Kruger National Park, in the company of two other assailants. One of them was killed in the crossfire, as the assailants were armed and opened fire when they were discovered. The other assailant escaped and is still at large.