Pretoria – Five suspects have been arrested in Gravelotte, Limpopo, in connection with rhino poaching.
Limpopo police said the suspects were arrested on Wednesday evening after SAPS officials received a tip-off from Crime Intelligence, that five occupants of a white VW Polo, with a Mpumalanga registration number, were on their way to poach a rhino at a private game farm in Letsitele.
“Upon receiving the information, a mini-road block was conducted and the targeted vehicle finally arrived. While searching the vehicle, police found a .375 Sako hunting rifle, silencer, butcher knife, an axe and eight rounds of live ammunition,” said Brigadier Hangwani Mulaudzi.
The suspects, aged between 26 and 38, were arrested on the spot and they will appear before the Phalaborwa Magistrate’s Court on Friday, facing charges of illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
Meanwhile, three suspects were arrested on Tuesday at the Kruger National Park for rhino poaching related crimes.
A total of 419 rhino have been poached in South Africa so far this year. – SAnews.gov.za
