The poachers were sentenced on Tuesday for illegally hunting rhinos in the Kruger National Park in 2010.
Aselmo Baloyi, Jawaki Nkuna and Ismael Baloyi were found guilty on four counts including illegal hunting of rhino, possession of a prohibited firearm, possession of a firearm and possession of ammunition.
Molewa said the sentence would send a strong message to poachers. She was optimistic that the sentence, coupled with government and law enforcement agencies' anti-poaching activities, would serve as a deterrent.
Tuesday's sentence comes at a time when government has stepped up measures to combat rhino poaching.
These measures include the South African National Defence Force returning to monitor the 350km of national border in Kruger National Park and other country borders, as well as the deployment of conservation specialists at ports through which the trade in endangered species can be exported and imported.
The department and South African National Parks are also in the process of beefing up patrols in the Kruger National Park with the deployment of an additional 150 rangers.
Bilateral engagements between South Africa and Mozambique to deal with cross-border law enforcement are also ongoing.
South Africans have been urged to report any illegal rhino activities on 0800 205 005.
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