Two in court for rhino poaching

Wednesday, June 10, 2015

Pretoria - As the war against rhino poaching intensifies, two more suspects arrested for rhino poaching related crimes will appear in court.

The two were arrested by police and South African National Parks (SANParks) rangers in two separate incidents in Mpumalanga. 

Carlos Mathebula, 34, a Mozambican national is set to appear at the Skukuza Magistrates’ Court today, while Margaret Mthethwa, 41, will appear at the Pienaar Magistrates’ Court on Friday.

Mathebula was arrested by SANParks rangers on 30 May.  

“When SANParks rangers spotted Mathebula in the Kruger National Park, he allegedly pointed the rifle at them in an attempt to escape. He was subsequently shot and injured,” Police spokesperson Brigadier Vishnu Naidoo said on Wednesday.

He was charged with possession of an illegal firearm, possession of illegal ammunition, trespassing with a 458 hunting rifle -- with the serial number filed off and two 458 live rounds were found in his possession during his arrest. 

Mthethwa was arrested in Zwelisha, Pienaar, where she was charged with possession of five 3.75mm rounds of ammunition, possession of rhino poaching equipment and possession of cash not accounted for.

Naidoo said the illegal killing of rhinos and the illegal trade of rhino horns is a priority crime for the police.

“These arrests are an indication that the task teams that were formed to deal with rhino poaching related crimes are hard at work and their work is indeed bearing fruit. 

“Curbing environmental crimes, particularly rhino poaching, is a hard battle to be fought but fight we shall,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za