Saving the Wild has led the crusade against corruption in the courts since January 2016. But there was no greater failure of the courts than when a not guilty verdict was handed down to notorious rhino horn trafficker Dumisani Gwala on 28 July 2023. 

This monster would spit in the face of journalists and boast to members of Parliament outside of court that he bought his luxury vehicles with the sale of rhino horn. He was untouchable, and hundreds of rhinos were butchered on his orders.

Finally, on 3 December he was gunned down in his home on the border of Mozambique where he was alleged to be trafficking humans, drugs and vehicles.

Gwala had many enemies. He lived by the gun, and he died by the gun. 

Zululand was once home to the highest density of rhinos in the world. This weekend the anti-poaching community are celebrating the end of an evil era unlike anything ever seen before.  

Share this stunning news, and find out what happens next on Saving the Wild's Instagram and Facebook. Working together, we will get legislation passed. 

TimesLive reports, 6 December:

After news of the killing emerged, Jamie Joseph, director of Saving the Wild — who monitored Gwala’s court proceedings for years — said the incident underscores the urgency for stronger legislative tools to protect endangered species.

“The ministry of the environment is reviewing Saving the Wild’s proposal of minimum sentencing for the poaching of rhino and other endangered species. We expect the bill to be tabled in parliament in the first quarter of 2026,” she said.

“The deputy minister saw first-hand, when he attended Gwala’s trial, how he had turned the courts into a circus. Enough already — we need political will and we need to honour the rangers with justice.”

Joseph said her organisation has been in direct engagement with the ministry as part of its efforts to tighten penalties for wildlife-related crimes, adding that current sentencing frameworks remain inadequate.