Mkhuhlu is an area in Mpumalanga province often referred to locally as the “land of blood.” Nyalungu sustained gunshot wounds to his left shoulder and left thigh. He is currently receiving medical treatment for the injuries.
Reports of the shooting emerged on or around 8 May 2026. The exact circumstances surrounding the incident have not been publicly clarified, and police investigations are ongoing.
Nyalungu, also known as Joseph Nyalunga, has a documented history of repeated arrests and court appearances linked to rhino poaching and related organised crime activities stretching back more than a decade. Law enforcement bodies, including the South African Police Service Organised Crime Unit, the Hawks, and SANParks Environmental Crime Investigation Unit, have repeatedly named him as a central figure in networks involved in the illegal hunting of rhinoceros, particularly in and around Kruger National Park, as well as the smuggling of rhino horn and associated offences.
His criminal record includes multiple charges over the years for alleged illegal rhino hunting, possession of rhino horn, possession of explosives and ammunition, money laundering, murder, theft, and tax evasion. Court proceedings have taken place in various Mpumalanga courts, including the Mkhuhlu Magistrate’s Court and the Mpumalanga High Court in Mbombela.
Notable incidents in his legal history include arrests dating back to at least 2010 and 2012. During this period, undercover operations led to asset preservation orders under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act, targeting millions of rand connected to him. In 2018, he was linked to operations such as Project Broadbill, which targeted rhino horn trafficking networks.
In October 2024, the Hawks arrested him at his workshop in Mkhuhlu on charges relating to the possession of explosives, including two sticks of dynamite, detonators, cords, and .458 rifle ammunition. He appeared in court for remand and bail proceedings. Several of his cases, including charges linked to activities between 2017 and 2019 in Kruger National Park, remained active with ongoing trial postponements into 2024 and beyond.
Nyalungu has previously denied certain allegations against him, including social media claims of prior assassination attempts. In March 2025, he reportedly sought a legal protection order against his younger brother amid a family dispute involving property damage.
The shooting of Nyalungu takes place in a region where violence has periodically erupted among individuals linked to wildlife crime networks. Other alleged figures in similar syndicates have been assassinated in past years. As of the latest available information, no arrests have been reported in connection with the May 2026 shooting, and no confirmed motive has been made public. Police investigations into the incident continue, while Nyalungu’s existing legal matters were still active prior to the shooting.
