Tulani Ngwenya
MAKHANDA, South Africa – Thomas Chauke (54), a Zimbabwean fugitive also known as Sazu Nkambuya, has been sentenced to 110 years’ imprisonment by the Makhanda High Court for rhino poaching, wildlife crimes, and repeated escapes from custody. The ruling, delivered on February 28, 2025, marks the culmination of a years-long investigation by South African authorities and underscores the government’s intensified crackdown on environmental crime.
Chauke, described by the South African Police Service (SAPS) as a “high-profile kingpin” in transnational rhino poaching syndicates, pleaded guilty to six counts of rhino poaching and wildlife offences across four provinces (Eastern Cape, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, and North West), as well as three counts of escaping lawful custody. His criminal empire also spanned violent crimes, including armed robbery, rape, and kidnapping, for which he was already serving five life sentences at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Services before escaping in December 2020.
Chauke’s reign of terror unravelled in March 2024 when the Modimolle Stock Theft and Endangered Species (STES) Unit arrested him for illegal firearm possession. Further investigation by the SAPS Head Office STES team linked him to a nationwide rhino poaching spree and multiple violent crimes. Detectives consolidated evidence from provinces and collaborated with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to secure his conviction.
“This sentencing sends an unequivocal message: South Africa will relentlessly pursue those destroying our natural heritage,” said Police Commissioner Elias Mawela. SAPS highlighted Chauke’s history of evading justice, including his 2020 prison escape, which triggered a four-year manhunt.
Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, Dr. Dion George, hailed the conviction as a “watershed moment” in combating wildlife trafficking. He praised the SAPS STES Unit and NPA for their collaboration, noting that Chauke’s case exemplifies the resolve to “protect our biodiversity at all costs.”
To deter future crimes, Dr. George announced enhanced measures to oppose bail for poaching suspects, particularly repeat offenders and foreign nationals. Initiatives include training Environmental Management Inspectors (EMI) on drafting robust affidavits and securing funding for dedicated legal support for SAPS. These strategies will be discussed at an upcoming EMI executive training session, where the NPA will address bail opposition tactics.
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With fewer than 16,000 rhinos remaining in South Africa, Chauke’s sentencing resonates globally. Conservation groups have long decried poaching’s devastating impact, as rhino horn trafficking fuels a multi-billion-dollar illegal wildlife trade.
“This victory belongs to every ranger, investigator, and community fighting to protect our wildlife,” Dr. George stated. “We will not waver in defending our natural heritage for future generations.”
Chauke’s 110-year term, effectively a life sentence, closes a dark chapter in South Africa’s conservation battle. Yet authorities caution that the war continues: over 400 rhinos were poached in 2024 alone, underscoring the urgency of sustained action.
