An unidentified man was fatally wounded during a confrontation with Anti-Poaching Unit (APU) members on Friday evening on a farm under the Pienaarsrivier policing precinct in the Waterberg District of Limpopo.

According to Letaba Herald, APU members were conducting routine patrols in the area when they heard three gunshots and responded immediately. Drones were deployed to locate the suspects and assess the area for rhino carcasses.

A drone detected suspected poachers and relayed their location to police.

The officers approached the suspects, who fled into nearby bushes. One suspect was observed carrying a rifle and another a backpack.

While tracking one suspect, APU members and the drone came under fire from him. Police returned fire in self-defence and the suspect was fatally wounded.

Subsequently, the drones located three fresh white rhino carcasses on the farm. Two of the rhinos had been dehorned, while one had not. A knife in its sheath and an additional sheath were recovered at the scene.

Firearm recovered from deceased

The deceased suspect had no identification on him, and a firearm was found next to him after he sustained a gunshot wound.

Police have opened cases of rhino poaching, attempted murder and murder.

A manhunt for the remaining unknown male suspects is underway.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.