Notorious five charged with poaching
They are allegedly affiliated with a transnational syndicate.
KOMATIPOORT – Ahead of World Rhino Day being celebrated today, law enforcement recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against poaching this week. Five men, allegedly affiliated with a notorious transnational syndicate, were arrested following an intelligence-driven operation on Tuesday.
South African Cecil Lloyd Matsane (40), Zimbabweans Felix Gerrito Gumbe (37) and Alberto Chamuno Mandizvidza (30), and Mozambicans Mario Everisto Camembe (32) and Simon Amoz Ngobeni (29) appeared in the Tonga Magistrate’s Court yesterday. They were charged with conspiring to commit rhino poaching.
A source close to the investigation told Lowvelder that a tip-off warned authorities that a gang of poachers was on its way to the Kruger National Park’s (KNP) Crocodile Bridge Gate that morning.
Armed with a description of the suspects’ vehicle, the SAPS, the Directory of Priority Crimes Investigation (DPCI), Pretoria Hawks and KNP rangers set out to nab the alleged would-be poachers before they could make it into the park. They arranged a roadblock on the road that leads to Marloth Park.
“We flagged down a vehicle matching the description and searched it. The five suspects – notoriously well known to law enforcers – had suspicious items in their possession,” said the source. According to the man, this included an unlicenced firearm, ammunition, a silencer, axes and large knives, typically used to remove rhino horns from poached carcasses. Their vehicle was seized and they were taken into custody at the Komatipoort Police Station. Mulaudzi confirmed this and added that dagga was also found in their possession.
They also face charges of illegally possessing a firearm, ammunition and dagga. “Their bail application was postponed to October 3, and the suspects will remain in custody until then,” said provincial Hawks spokesman, Capt Lucy Dineo Sekgotodi.
“With tomorrow being World Rhino Day, we are happy to have made this major breakthrough in the fight against wildlife poaching,” said Lt Gen Yolisa Matakata, acting national head of DPCI, yesterday.
