A joint interprovincial operation, following an investigation with the assistance of KMPG to trace how money flowed between a rhino poaching syndicate and the family members of two former Kruger National Park rangers, saw the arrest of nine people yesterday.

Mpumalanga Hawk spokesperson, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, says the latest arrests forms part of ‘Operation Blood Orange’ after two former rangers, who were based in Skhukuza, were nabbed in April on suspicion that they provided tactical information to rhino poaching syndicates.

Chikwa Daniel Maluleke (60) and Solly Ubisi (46) face charges of corruption, money laundering and fraud and are accused that they received large sums of money from syndicates in exchange for information. The money was allegedly paid via the bank accounts of family members, sparking the latest arrests.

The operation included the Hawks’ corruption, commercial crime, organised crime and crime intelligence units as well as the Tactical Response Team and the Local Criminal Record Centres in Gauteng, Mpumalanga and Limpopo.

As part of the success in Gauteng, police confiscated a Volvo in Sunnyridge, Primrose.

Sekgotodi says during the search the vehicle police discovered a hidden compartment with a black sports bag inside containing what they believe are rhino horn shavings.

A small room was discovered next to garage that police suspect is used for rhino horn processing because they found a large band saw, scales, grinders, grinding discs and a hand scanner commonly used to detect micros chips, as well as various financial documents and digital devices inside

Sekgotodi says police are still looking for two suspects and that the investigation is ongoing.

Maluleke and Ubisi are out on bail and will appear, together with their co-accused, in the Bushbuckridge Magistrate’s Court next week Wednesday.

Anyone with further information on the investigation is urged to contact the Hawks investigating officer, Colonel Danie Hall on 071 481 3281.