Five alleged rhino poachers were arrested on Saturday, 19 July in a joint operation by the Durban Organised Crime Unit, Nyathi Anti-Poaching and Special Task Force who were patrolling around Hluhluwe.
The task team received information about a group of people who were suspected to be poaching at Phinda Game reserve. The members intensified their patrols and spotted five suspects inside the game reserve.
When the officers approached the alleged poachers, they fired shots at the team who retaliated, wounding one of the men. All five men, aged between 17 and 38 years old, were arrested and found in possession of an unlicensed hunting rifle with three live rounds, silencer and an axe.
The men will appear in the Hluhluwe Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 22 July facing charges of illegal hunting, attempted murder, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition.
The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Mmamonnye Ngobeni applauded the members for the good work. “Police will work tirelessly to fight and combat illegal hunting including rhino poaching,” she said.
