Former ranger is arrested for rhino poaching

A former corporal in the ranger services of the Kruger National Park (KNP) and his accomplice were arrested for suspected poaching in the Tshokwane Section of the park on May 1.

According to the communications and marketing department of KNP, these arrests were due to an intelligence driven anti-poaching operation.

It is seen as a significant breakthrough in the fight against rhino poaching in the park.

The former corporal was dismissed in 2014, after a disciplinary process on unrelated charges.

A high-calibre hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were recovered on the scene by the law enforcing team.

Reacting to the arrests, the managing executive of the KNP, Glenn Phillips applauded the team responsible for the arrests while the rest of the world was celebrating International Worker’s Day.

“We have been after this particular individual for some time and we are happy that he has been captured,” Phillips said. “We will now wait for the law to take its course.”

He called on the justice system to consider the severe damage that is being done by criminals to the sustainability of rhino populations and the country’s tourism industry. He pleaded for harsh sentences.

The suspects would have appeared in court as soon as charges were formally filed.

In another operation on May 2, Malalane rangers, supported by the KNP K9 Unit and the Air Wing, made contact with two suspected poachers in a follow-up operation. The suspects were also arrested, and a heavy-calibre hunting rifle, ammunition and poaching equipment were recovered at the scene.

Incidents like these provoke severe emotion among citizens. On an official SANParks Facebook page, comments on the news ranged from praise to the dedicated rangers who apprehended the suspects, to fury over the fact that employees, or former employees, are among those often implicated in such crimes.