UPDATE: Police and soldiers find five rhino horns hidden in vehicle
The search for a stolen vehicle led police and the SANDF to five rhino horns on Sunday night.
KOMATIPOORT – Tracker SA notified Bravo Company Commander Maj Malebo Manganye that a possible stolen vehicle was heading past them on their way to Naas from Komatipoort on Sunday night.
Manganye and his team managed to intercept the vehicle. The police officers, under the leadership of WO Piet Stander, searched it and found five rhino horns.
READ: Counter-poaching operations in KNP result in eight arrests
The three suspects in the vehicle were arrested and taken to the Komatipoort Police Station.
Police continued their investigation and found a fourth suspect on a farm near Marloth Park. He was in possession of two hunting rifles.
The suspects appeared in the Nkomazi Magistrate’s Court on Monday. Charges include possession of rhino horn without a permit and unlicensed firearm. They will remain in custody until their bail hearing on November 6.
The Department of Defence is proud of the work 9 SAI Battalion and other stakeholders are doing to fight cross-border and wildlife crime.
READ: Soldiers on the border recover goods worth R32 million
SANDF Capt Lwazi Malgas stated that crimes in the area are expected to increase approaching to the festive season. “We will not rest until we ensure that every criminal is caught. Vehicle theft is the main priority.”
