WHITE RIVER – Three of the four men accused of conspiring to poach rhino in the Kruger National Park (KNP) have been denied bail.
Arnold Mashele and Morris Seshlabela were police constables stationed at Skukuza, while Phineas Dinda was an ex-corporal field ranger working in the park at the time of their arrest in May.
The magistrate, Ms Winnie Baloyi, delivered an hour-long judgement on Thursday explaining why the men should be detained in police custody while their trial continued.
The men faced charges which include conspiracy to hunt rhino and the illegal possession of a firearm and ammunition.
They were arrested by KNP officials and members of the Hawks while travelling in a marked Skukuza police van. A suspected poacher and poaching equipment were found in the back of the vehicle, when officials pulled them over and searched it.
The bail hearing of the fourth suspect, who was arrested after the others, continued on Monday afternoon.
A date for the continuation of the trail will be set during the four suspects’ court appearance today.
