Joint effort leads to poaching arrests
The SAPS Limpopo’s Endangered Species Unit, in collaboration with Wildlife Security, have apprehended five suspects allegedly involved in rhino poaching and the illegal trade of elephant tusks on Thursday, March 28.
The team followed a lead about planned poaching at a game reserve in Gravellote outside Phalaborwa. The suspects’ vehicle was intercepted along the R529 in Letsitele. During the search, police recovered a rifle bolt silencer, and an elephant tusk.
The provincial commissioner Lt Gen Thembi Hadebe, has applauded the joint effort and highlighted the commitment of the police and Wildlife Security to combat wildlife crime and preserving endangered species.
Also read: Rhino poaching in KNP decreases
The suspects, four foreign nationals and one SA citizen, aged between 33 and 45 appeared before the Letsitele and Maake Magistrate’s Courts, on Tuesday April 2, on charges of conspiracy to commit rhino poaching, possession of unlicensed firearm and ammunition, unlawful possession of an elephant tusk and contravention of the Immigration Act.
At the time of going to print the outcome of their court appearances was unknown.
