Suspected rhino killer Lucas Baloyi pleaded not guilty on charges relating to the poaching of rhinos in the Kruger National Park.

He appeared in the Louis Trichardt Regional Court on Monday (12 September) on one charge of theft, one of illegal activities in a special nature reserve, one of restricted activities involving threatened or protected species without a permit, and one charge of the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.

Baloyi was arrested on June 14 last year, when six park rangers on patrol in Mbandweni near the Vlakteplaas area in the park allegedly caught him red-handed while he was hacking the horn from the carcass of a white rhino. Two more rhino horns from another rhino were also found in his possession. The carcass of another rhino, with the horns removed, was found a stone’s throw away from were Baloyi was arrested.

The four horns have an estimated value of R270 000, while the two rhinos that he allegedly gunned down were valued at R700 000.

While trying to flee from the park rangers, a gunfight erupted between him and the rangers. Baloyi was wounded four times and had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

During his court appearance, an ailing Baloyi pleaded not guilty to all the charges. During his defence he explained that he was walking through the park towards Giyani, where he has a homestead, to visit his girlfriend. “I had nothing to do with the rhinos,” he said.

After his plea, the State handed evidence over to the court. This included, among others, an expert affidavit of Mr Johannes van Rooyen regarding the .375 Winchester rifle and spent bullet rounds that were recovered during Baloyi’s arrest. The State also provided DNA-results from the four rhino horns that were recovered. According to these results, the rhino horns belonged to the respective carcasses of the two rhinos.

Due to Baloyi’s poor health, the State asked that the case be postponed, so that he can receive treatment. His case was then postponed until November 14 and 15.