Three suspected rhino poachers were arrested on the Swadini Road on Wednesday, October 24 after the Provincial Stock Theft Unit received information about the suspects carrying unlicensed firearms and information that they may be intending to commit rhino poaching.
The police were mobilised and stopped the VW Jetta close to Kampersrus and recovered a firearm with one magazine, seven rounds of ammunition, one R5 round, a knife and an axe during the search of the vehicle. Further police investigations are underway to establish the origin of these firearms and ammunition and whether they were used during commission of any crime.
The three suspects, aged between 29 and 52, appeared in the Lenyenye Magistrate’s Court and two of the suspects, Phumulani Maseko (29) and Joseph Themba (52) were given R500-00 bail each.
The third man was released as he could not be linked to the firearms. The two suspects will appear again on November 11 in the Hoedspruit Periodical Court.
