Three years after a fatal ambush near Numbi Gate, Joseph Nyalunga has been jailed for killing German tourist Jorg Schnarr. Image: NPA
Three years after the fatal shooting of German tourist Jorg Schnarr near the Kruger National Park, the High Court in Mbombela has sentenced Napoleon Joseph Nyalunga, 38, to 25 years’ direct imprisonment for his role in the deadly ambush.
Schnarr, 67, was gunned down during a failed hijacking near the Numbi Gate entrance in October 2022, while driving with his wife, Vera, and friends Reiner and Andrea Nuchter towards Mdluli Safari Lodge.
According to National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Monica Nyuswa, the attackers blocked the minibus with a Volkswagen Golf, then opened fire. Schnarr was struck by a bullet and died at the scene.
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Strong Case Led to Conviction
Police arrested Nyalunga following an intensive investigation.
The state presented a compelling case, including eyewitness testimonies, confession statements, and a reconstruction of the ambush during an inspection in loco.
“Nyalunga brutally murdered a defenceless foreign national who came to enjoy South Africa’s natural beauty,” said Nyuswa.
The court sentenced Nyalunga to:
25 years for murder
10 years for attempted robbery
7 years for illegal possession of a firearm
2 years for illegal possession of ammunition
With concurrent sentencing, Nyalunga will serve an effective 25-year term behind bars.
Co-accused Marshall Cebo Mamba and Bongumusa Matsane were acquitted, as the court found insufficient evidence linking them to the crime.
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NPA Welcomes Sentence
The NPA hailed the verdict as a victory for justice and a step forward in the fight against violent crime.
“The value of human life can never be overstated. We hope this conviction sends a clear message to others,” Nyuswa stated.
The tragic incident drew international attention and raised renewed concerns about tourist safety in South Africa’s key tourism regions.
[SRC] https://www.thesouthafrican.com/news/guilty-man-gets-25-years-for-murder-of-german-tourist-outside-kruger-park/
