Provincially, 142 were in KwaZulu-Natal (down from 222 in 2017), and 65 in the North West (down from 96). Poaching incidents increased in Mpumalanga, from 49 in 2017 to 51 last year, and in the Eastern Cape, from 12 to 19.
The Western Cape did not have a single poaching incident in 2018, as was the case in 2017.
"Combating rhino poaching remains a national priority, and as such all the relevant government departments will continue their close collaboration to ensure that this iconic species is conserved for generations to come. Although we are encouraged by the national poaching figures for 2018, it is critical that we continue to implement collaborative initiatives to address the scourge of rhino poaching," said Mokonyane.
Her ministry added that, from January 1 to December 31 last year, 365 alleged rhino poachers and 36 alleged rhino-horn traffickers were arrested across the country. Of these, 229 were arrested inside and adjacent to the Kruger National Park, 40 more than the 189 arrested in 2017.
"There are currently 318 rhino poaching-related cases on the court roll involving 645 accused and 897 charges - 275 of these cases are trial ready," the ministry said.
It added that, from January to December 2018, the National Prosecuting Authority obtained convictions in 78 of the 82 cases that went to trial.